{"id":2108,"date":"2023-06-02T21:40:41","date_gmt":"2023-06-02T21:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/?p=2108"},"modified":"2023-06-02T21:40:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T21:40:44","slug":"eurovision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/?p=2108","title":{"rendered":"Eurovision"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eurovision: One of the Biggest Nights in Music on the LGBT+ Calendar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Travis Espinoza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The Eurovision Song Contest has become firmly ensconced in LGBTQ+ culture in recent years. It wasn\u2019t always this way: in its first decades in the 1950s and \u201960s, 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 \u201990s, it became more flamboyant, with flashy outfits and campy songs (the first openly gay contestant appeared in 1997.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Even though, all acts might not be LGBTQ+ some of the performances certainly had an air of queerness. If you\u2019re Euro-curious, consider it a list of songs you should check out; if you\u2019re already a fan, well, show these acts to the not-yet-Euro-converted members of your chosen family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke Black (Serbia)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, Serbia\u2019s cup runneth over with queerness, and not just because singer Luke Black (Luka Ivanovi\u0107) is one of the contest\u2019s openly gay performers\u2014an uber-twink in both look and demeanor. It\u2019s hard not to be mesmerized by his song \u201cSamo mi se spava.\u201d The fashion-minded segment of our community should also appreciate Black\u2019s hard-but-soft laced-up white shirt and platform boot combo. https:\/\/youtu.be\/I30TJ0oQJVg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vesna (Czechia)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the music even kicks off on \u201cMy Sister\u2019s Crown,\u201d the styling on this girl group screams gay. The six members are in identical soft pink parachute pants with firm-shouldered sequined tops in an identical shade. Oh, and don\u2019t forget the floor-length braids that Vesna whip around as part of the choreography. https:\/\/youtu.be\/-y78qgDlzAM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loreen (Sweden)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTattoo\u201d is an objectively sublime electro-power pop ballad, and Loreen\u2019s ability to hit money notes already netted her one Eurovision win 11 years ago. Plus, she\u2019s one of this year\u2019s two resident bisexual performers. Yet, a bit like a hit from Adele, Beyonc\u00e9 or Mariah, Loreen is so hyper-polished and talented that \u201cTattoo\u201d feels more like a song that the gays will love rather than a song that\u2019s intrinsically queer. (2023 Winner) https:\/\/youtu.be\/1XpJnc4T-AM<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alessandra (Norway)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Loreen from Sweden could be compared to a Eurovision Beyonc\u00e9, Italian-Norwegian singer Alessandra is Katy Perry, but made better with some operatic vocal chops. Competent, yes, but just not quite so compelling. The second of two bisexuals in Eurovision 2023, she says her song \u201cQueen of Kings\u201d is about being proud of her identity. Her Xena: Warrior Princess styling earns her some queer points, plus, her performance radiates an energy that hovers somewhere between \u201cbutch\u201d and \u201cmother.\u201d  https:\/\/youtu.be\/zt7U0-N1mlk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let 3 (Croatia)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Eurovision and their performance of \u201cMama \u0160\u010c!,\u201d they\u2019re in drag no less\u2014although and not naked as in previous performances the messy styling makes it feel more like men in dresses rather than full-scale drag queenery. There\u2019s also a dash of military aesthetics, and hallucinogenic visuals on both the floor and towering wall behind their performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n