COVER

Eurovision has a long and proud history of supporting queer artists and championing LGBT+ rights. There have been countless key moments that waved the flag for LGBT+ representation.

In 1998 Dana International entered the competition as the first trans performer - she went onto win for Israel, becoming the first trans Eurovision winner. The contest has had several out LGBT+ winners since then.

Another key moment came in 2014 when Conchita (a gay drag queen) brought her gender non-conforming drag to the masses. Her ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’ performance was described in the press as “the most genderqueer yet”.

Of course, none of these performers escaped the inevitable bigotry aimed at LGBT+ people - there were calls for Eurovisions boycotts from some, and offensive remarks made by certain country’s broadcasts of the contest.

But the message remained clear, as Conchita declared upon being awarded the Eurovision trophy: “We are unity, and we are unstoppable”.

The Eurovision Song Contest has become firmly ensconced in LGBTQ+ culture in recent years. It wasn’t always this way: in its first decades in the 1950s and ’60s, it was a firmly buttoned-up affair that verged upon staid, with restrained performers in tuxedos and ball gowns: not an onstage costume change or sexualized prop butter churner was to be seen. Toward the ’90s, it became more flamboyant, with flashy outfits and campy songs (the first openly gay contestant appeared in 1997.

Nowadays in Europe (and, increasingly, other parts of the world), the contest is a queer affair, with people going as far as holding Eurovision viewing parties (I attended a spectacular one this year). In that spirit, here are some pointers on the gay highlights of this past year’s contest. Another highlight was the interval performance put on by a fierce trio of drag queens that brought down the house. It was like giving the proverbial middle finger to all those who say Drag is a Crime. https://youtu.be/76ZbvwEyf0k

Even though, all acts might not be LGBTQ+ some of the performances certainly had an air of queerness. If you’re Euro-curious, consider it a list of songs you should check out; if you’re already a fan, well, show these acts to the not-yet-Euro-converted members of your chosen family.