LGBTQ visibility in the Eurovision Song Contest

{{main|List of LGBTQ participants in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

File:Dana International op Het Grote Songfestivalfeest 2019.jpg, the contest's first trans participant, and winner for {{esccnty|Israel|y=1998|t=Israel in 1998}}]]

Paul Oscar became the contest's first openly gay artist when he represented {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1997|t=Iceland in 1997}}. Katrina Leskanich, who won representing the {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1997|t=United Kingdom in 1997}} as lead singer of the group Katrina and the Waves later came out.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegayuk.com/interview-katrina-leskanich/|title=INTERVIEW: Katrina Leskanich -|date=29 June 2013 |access-date=2021-08-04|archive-date=2021-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804201413/https://www.thegayuk.com/interview-katrina-leskanich/|url-status=live}} Dana International, representing {{esccnty|Israel|y=1998|t=Israel in 1998}}, was the contest's first trans performer, and became the first trans artist to win the contest.{{sfn|West|2020|pp=191–195}}{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Birmingham 1998 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/birmingham-1998 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |access-date=7 July 2020 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329101658/https://eurovision.tv/event/birmingham-1998 |url-status=live }} Several open members of the LGBTQ community have since gone on to compete and win the contest: Conchita Wurst, the drag persona of openly gay Thomas Neuwirth, won for {{esccnty|Austria|y=2014|t=Austria in 2014}}; and openly bisexual performer Duncan Laurence was the winner for the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2019|t=Netherlands in 2019}}.{{cite web |last1=Bromwich |first1=Kathryn |title=Conchita Wurst: 'Most artists are sensitive and insecure people. I am too' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/06/conchita-interview-sensitive-insecure-eurovision-gay-pin-up-austrian |work=The Guardian |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=6 July 2014 |archive-date=23 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423144728/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/06/conchita-interview-sensitive-insecure-eurovision-gay-pin-up-austrian |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Matt |title=Dutch Eurovision contestant Duncan Laurence comes out as bisexual |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/community/122298/dutch-eurovision-contestant-duncan-laurence-comes-out-as-bisexual/ |work=Gay Times |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=18 May 2019 |archive-date=19 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519082307/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/community/122298/dutch-eurovision-contestant-duncan-laurence-comes-out-as-bisexual/ |url-status=live }} Marija Šerifović, who won for {{esccnty|Serbia|y=2007|t=Serbia in 2007}}, subsequently came out publicly as a lesbian in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://inserbia.info/today/2013/11/i-am-a-lesbian-marija-serifovic-opens-herself-completely-in-her-film-confession/|title=I Am A Lesbian! – Marija Serifovic Opens Up in Her Film "Confession"|website=InSerbia News|date=28 November 2013|access-date=7 August 2015|archive-date=18 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018125042/http://inserbia.info/today/2013/11/i-am-a-lesbian-marija-serifovic-opens-herself-completely-in-her-film-confession/|url-status=live}} Loreen, who won for {{esccnty|Sweden|y=2012|t=Sweden in 2012}} and {{esccnty|Sweden|y=2023|t=2023}}, came out as bisexual in 2017.{{Cite web|title=Eurovision winner Loreen comes out as bisexual|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2017/02/06/eurovision-winner-loreen-comes-out-bisexual|access-date=2021-08-13|website=Topics|language=en|archive-date=2022-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220162640/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2017/02/06/eurovision-winner-loreen-comes-out-bisexual|url-status=live}} Victoria De Angelis, a member of Måneskin, the band who won for {{esccnty|Italy|y=2021|t=Italy in 2021}}, is openly bisexual, with fellow band member Ethan Torchio defining himself as "sexually free".{{cite web|first1=Luca|last1=Parente|access-date=23 May 2021|title=Sanremo 2021, i Maneskin si spogliano e parlano di libertà sessuale|language=Italian|website=NEG Zone|url=https://www.neg.zone/2021/02/12/sanremo-maneskin/|date=12 February 2021|archive-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523202351/https://www.neg.zone/2021/02/12/sanremo-maneskin/|url-status=live}} Nemo, who won for {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=2024|t=Switzerland in 2024}}, is the first openly non-binary artist to win the contest.{{cite web |last=Fischer |first=Martin |url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/neue-musik-von-nemo-nonbinaer-und-vorerst-nur-noch-auf-englisch-474168042237 |title=Nemo im Interview – «Ich fühle mich weder als Mann noch als Frau» |date=2023-11-11 |work=Tages Anzeiger |language=de-CH |accessdate=2024-02-29}}

As attitudes have changed across Europe, and same-sex attraction has become more accepted in many European countries, several artists have since come out as LGBTQ years or decades after participating in the contest. These include Bob Benny, who represented {{esccnty|Belgium|y=1959|t=Belgium in 1959}} and {{esccnty|Belgium|y=1961|t=1961}} and came out publicly as gay in 2001,{{cite web|url=http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/cultuur%2Ben%2Bmedia/muziek/1.969181|title=deredactie.be: Vlaamse zanger Bob Benny is overleden|date=29 March 2011 |publisher=Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep|access-date=29 March 2011}} and Patrick Juvet, who represented {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=1973|t=Switzerland in 1973}}, who came out publicly as bisexual in 2005.{{cite news |last1=Coljon |first1=Thierry |title=Les bleus au cœur de Patrick Juvet |url=https://www.lesoir.be/art/les-bleus-au-coeur-de-patrick-juvet_t-20050428-Z0QJED.html |access-date=17 July 2020 |work=Le Soir.be (Belgium) |publisher=Rossel & Cie |date=28 April 2005 |url-access=subscription}}

Several presenters of the Eurovision Song Contest have also identified as LGBTQ, including Yigal Ravid and Assi Azar, who hosted in Israel in {{escyr|1999}} and {{escyr|2019}} respectively,{{cite news|title=Grapevine June 10, 2020: Sins of omission|publisher=Jerusalem Post|date=June 9, 2020|url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/grapevine-june-10-2020-sins-of-omission-630873| first= Greer Fay| last=Cashman}}{{Cite web|last=University|title=ASSI AZAR: Israeli TV personality and gay rights advocate|url=https://events.cornell.edu/event/assi_azar_israeli_tv_personality_and_gay_rights_advocate|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-13|website=Cornell|publisher=Office of Web Communications, Cornell University|language=en|archive-date=2019-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127034935/http://events.cornell.edu/event/assi_azar_israeli_tv_personality_and_gay_rights_advocate}} and Nikkie de Jager, who hosted in the Netherlands in {{escyr|2021}}. De Jager was the first transgender person to host the contest.{{Cite web|title='Eurovision' gets first transgender host in YouTube star Nikkie de Jager|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/eurovision-gets-first-transgender-host-in-youtube-star-nikkie-de-jager_1|access-date=2021-08-13|website=SBS Your Language|language=en|archive-date=2021-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523115659/https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/eurovision-gets-first-transgender-host-in-youtube-star-nikkie-de-jager_1|url-status=live}} Mika, who is gay, hosted the {{escyr|2022||2022 edition}} in Italy.{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Colin |date=2012-08-06 |title=Mika confirms sexuality: 'I'm gay' |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a397752/mika-confirms-sexuality-im-gay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206182250/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a397752/mika-confirms-sexuality-im-gay/ |archive-date=2022-02-06 |access-date=2022-02-09 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=2022-02-02|title=Eurovision 2022 Hosts: Laura Pausini, Alessandro Cattelan and Mika 🇮🇹|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2022-hosts|access-date=2022-02-09|website=Eurovision.tv|publisher=EBU|language=en-gb|archive-date=2022-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202215141/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2022-hosts|url-status=live}} Graham Norton, who is also gay, hosted the final of the {{escyr|2023||2023 edition}} in the United Kingdom and has additionally served as the BBC's television commentator for the contest since {{escyr|2009}}.Cohen, Benjamin (27 April 2006).[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1295.html/ "Graham Norton: "I'm too old to be attractive to gay men"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024152641/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1295.html|date=24 October 2011}}. Pink News. Retrieved 14 June 2011.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2023 |title=Meet our Eurovision 2023 family! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eurovision/entries/6f2e0053-e405-4548-b330-e1741d2c9198 |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |language=en}}

File:ESC2019 - France 01 Bilal Hassani.jpg, who identifies as queer, represented {{esccnty|France|y=2019|t=France in 2019}}]]

Past competing songs and performances have included references and allusions to same-sex relationships. One of the contest's earliest winning songs, "{{lang|fr|Nous les amoureux|i=no}}" for {{esccnty|Luxembourg|y=1961|t=Luxembourg in 1961}}, was later confirmed by its performer Jean-Claude Pascal as containing references to a homosexual relationship and the difficulties faced by the pair, considered controversial during the early 1960s when in many European countries homosexual relations were still criminalised. Pascal notes, however, that the song's lyrics were deliberately made ambiguous to avoid the mention of the gender of either of the lovers since homosexuality was taboo at the time. The gay rights message of the song was therefore obscured. Pascal also stated that because of its ambiguity, it was not understood as a gay song by the general public at the time. In addition, Pascal was himself gay.{{Cite web|title='Nous les amoureux' de Jean-Claude Pascal, une chanson qui annonce la révolution du mouvement gay...|url=https://www.rtbf.be/lapremiere/article/detail_nous-les-amoureux-de-jean-claude-pascal-une-chanson-qui-annonce-la-revolution-du-mouvement-gay?id=10221083|date=16 May 2019|website=La Première|language=fr|access-date=3 May 2020|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224130852/https://www.rtbf.be/lapremiere/article/detail_nous-les-amoureux-de-jean-claude-pascal-une-chanson-qui-annonce-la-revolution-du-mouvement-gay?id=10221083|url-status=live}}

Krista Siegfrids' performance of "Marry Me" for {{esccnty|Finland|y=2013|t=Finland in 2013}} featured a same-sex kiss with one of her female backing dancers at the end. The stage performance of "Together" by Ryan O'Shaughnessy for {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2018|t=Ireland in 2018}} featured two male dancers portraying a same-sex relationship.{{cite web |title=Eurovision 2013 final underway amid lesbian kiss controversy |url=https://www.dw.com/en/eurovision-2013-final-underway-amid-lesbian-kiss-controversy/a-16822230 |website=dw.com |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=28 February 2021 |date=18 May 2013 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518001529/https://www.dw.com/en/eurovision-2013-final-underway-amid-lesbian-kiss-controversy/a-16822230 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Daniel |title=Ireland's Gay Dance on Eurovision Shows World That 'Love Is Love' |url=https://www.advocate.com/world/2018/5/09/irelands-gay-dance-eurovision-shows-world-love-love |website=advocate.com |publisher=The Advocate |access-date=28 February 2021 |date=9 May 2018 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420135439/https://www.advocate.com/world/2018/5/09/irelands-gay-dance-eurovision-shows-world-love-love |url-status=live }} The performance of "This Time" by Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila for {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2015|t=Lithuania in 2015}} featured a kiss between two men and two women in the background. Achille Lauro, the entrant for {{Esccnty|San Marino|y=2022|t=San Marino in 2022}}, engaged in a same-sex kiss with guitarist, producer and long-time collaborator Boss Doms.{{Cite web |last=Adejobi |first=Alicia |date=2022-05-12 |title=Eurovision: San Marino's Achille Lauro makes 'history' with queer kiss |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/12/eurovision-san-marinos-achille-lauro-makes-history-with-queer-kiss-16635183/ |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Metro |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=D'Antuono |first=Jacopo |date=2022-05-12 |title=Achille Lauro, bacio con Boss Doms ad Eurovision 2022/ "Ha incendiato il palco" |url=https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/achille-lauro-bacio-con-boss-doms-ad-eurovision-2022-ha-incendiato-il-palco/2340537/ |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=IlSussidiario.net |language=it}} The performance of "Because of You" by Gustaph for {{Esccnty|Belgium|y=2023|t=Belgium in 2023}} featured vogue dancer PussCee West.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2023-04-30 |title=Belgium: Gustaph to be Joined by PussCee West at Eurovision |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/04/30/gustaph-pusscee-west-eurovision/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}}

Several drag acts have featured in Eurovision performances, including Conchita Wurst for Austria in 2014, Verka Serduchka for {{Esccnty|Ukraine|y=2007|t=Ukraine in 2007}}, DQ for {{Esccnty|Denmark|y=2007|t=Denmark in 2007}}, Sestre for {{Esccnty|Slovenia|y=2002|t=Slovenia in 2002}};{{cite web |last1=Jordan |first1=Paul |title=Life's a drag! Eurovision queens past and present |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/life-s-a-drag-eurovision-queens-past-and-present |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=28 February 2021 |date=24 October 2016 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518001526/https://eurovision.tv/story/life-s-a-drag-eurovision-queens-past-and-present |url-status=live }} the latter's selection sparked protests and debate on LGBTQ rights in Slovenia at the time and resulted in concerns raised at the European Parliament ahead of Slovenia's upcoming accession to the European Union.{{cite web |title=Transvestite Sisters stir Eurovision storm |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/monitoring/media_reports/1855726.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News |access-date=28 February 2021 |date=5 March 2002 |archive-date=16 February 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216191115/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/monitoring/media_reports/1855726.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Banks |first1=Martin |title=Transvestite Eurosong win sparks Slovenia accession doubts |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/transvestite-eurosong-win-sparks-slovenia-accession-doubts/ |website=politico.eu |publisher=Politico |access-date=28 February 2021 |date=6 March 2002 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301204414/https://www.politico.eu/article/transvestite-eurosong-win-sparks-slovenia-accession-doubts/ |url-status=live }}

Dana International's selection for the {{escyr|1998||1998 contest}} was marked by objections and death threats from Orthodox religious sections of Israeli society, and at the contest her accommodation was reportedly in the only hotel in Birmingham with bulletproof windows.{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=152–155}}{{cite web |title=Transsexual singer stirs up passions |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1998/05/98/eurovision/90279.stm |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=10 May 1998 |archive-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311030144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1998/05/98/eurovision/90279.stm |url-status=live }}

In more recent years, various political ideologies across Europe have clashed in the Eurovision setting, particularly on LGBTQ rights. {{lang|tr|Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu|i=no}} (TRT) from {{esccnty|Turkey}}, once a regular participant in the contest and a one-time winner, first pulled out of the contest in 2013, citing dissatisfaction in the voting rules; more recently when asked about returning to the contest it has cited LGBTQ performances as another reason for their continued boycott.{{cite web |title=Turkey to return Eurovision 'if no more bearded divas' |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-return-eurovision-if-no-more-bearded-divas-135427 |work=Hürriyet Daily News |access-date=1 July 2020 |date=4 August 2018 |archive-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702034139/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-return-eurovision-if-no-more-bearded-divas-135427 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Alex |title=Eurovision Song Contest Is Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/arts/music/eurovision-canceled-coronavirus.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=18 March 2020 |quote="In 2018, the head of Turkey's public broadcaster said the boycott was also partly because some past winners, including the drag queen Conchita Wurst, had gone against Turkey's social values." |archive-date=11 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411135958/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/arts/music/eurovision-canceled-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }} After initially planning on airing the {{escyr|2013||2013 contest}}, TRT eventually pulled its broadcast of the event in response to Krista Siegfrids's same-sex kiss.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Joe |title=Turkey cancels Eurovision Song Contest over lesbian kiss |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/turkey-cancels-eurovision-song-contest-over-lesbian-kiss160513/ |publisher=Gay Star News |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=16 May 2013 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711040356/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/turkey-cancels-eurovision-song-contest-over-lesbian-kiss160513/ |url-status=live }} It has also been reported that LGBTQ visibility in the contest was also a deciding factor when {{lang|hu|Médiaszolgáltatás-támogató és Vagyonkezelő Alap|i=unset}} (MTVA) from {{esccnty|Hungary}} chose not to enter the {{escyr|2020||2020 contest}} amid a rise in anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the Hungarian government of Viktor Orbán, although no official reason has been given by the broadcaster.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Shaun |last2=Garamvolgyi |first2=Flora |title=Hungary pulls out of Eurovision amid rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/nov/27/hungary-pulls-out-of-eurovision-amid-rise-in-anti-lgbt-rhetoric |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 July 2020 |date=27 November 2019 |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128122945/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/nov/27/hungary-pulls-out-of-eurovision-amid-rise-in-anti-lgbt-rhetoric |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Kozlov |first1=Vladimir |title=Hungary Exits 2020 Eurovision Over Contest's LGBT-Friendly Policies: Report |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8545072/hungary-exits-2020-eurovision-song-contest-over-lgbt-friendly-policies-report |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 July 2020 |date=29 November 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717044735/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8545072/hungary-exits-2020-eurovision-song-contest-over-lgbt-friendly-policies-report |url-status=live }}

Following the introduction of a "gay propaganda" law in Russia in 2013, as well as developments in Ukraine, the {{escyr|2014||2014 contest}} saw a marked increase in booing from the audience, particularly during the {{esccnty|Russia|y=2014|t=Russian performance}}, getting qualified to the final, and during the voting when Russia received points.{{sfn|West|2020|pp=283–286}}{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Fraser |title=Eurovision 2014: the booing of Russia was a disgrace |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/culturehousedaily/2014/05/eurovision-2014-the-booing-of-russia-was-a-disgrace/ |work=The Spectator |access-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504080615/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/culturehousedaily/2014/05/eurovision-2014-the-booing-of-russia-was-a-disgrace/ |archive-date=4 May 2015 |date=11 May 2014}} Conchita Wurst's win in the contest was also met with criticism on the Russian political stage, with several conservative politicians voicing displeasure in the result.{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Caroline |title=Conchita Wurst pledges to promote tolerance after jubilant welcome home |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/may/11/conchita-wurst-pledges-to-promote-tolerance |work=The Guardian |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=11 May 2014 |archive-date=31 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731035500/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/may/11/conchita-wurst-pledges-to-promote-tolerance |url-status=live }} In response to the booing, the producers of the {{escyr|2015||2015 contest}} installed "anti-booing technology" for the broadcast, and the contest's presenters repeatedly called on the audience not to boo; the {{esccnty|Russia|y=2015|t=Russian participant}}, Polina Gagarina, was interviewed by Conchita in the green room during a break in the voting, and attracted criticism from Russian conservatives when she posted a backstage video to social media of herself hugging Conchita.{{sfn|West|2020|pp=287–291}}{{cite web |last1=Aubusson |title=Eurovision 2015: Anti-booing technology deployed to protect Russian contestant |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/eurovision-2015-antibooing-technology-deployed-to-protect-russian-contestant-20150524-gh8lni.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=24 May 2015 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708075337/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/eurovision-2015-antibooing-technology-deployed-to-protect-russian-contestant-20150524-gh8lni.html |url-status=live }}

Clashes on LGBTQ visibility in the contest have also occurred in countries which do not compete in the contest. Eurovision had been broadcast in China for several years, however in 2018, the rights held by Mango TV were terminated during the {{escyr|2018||2018 contest}}.{{cite web |title=Eurovision 2013 reaches China |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2013-reaches-china |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708080829/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2013-reaches-china |url-status=live }} The live broadcast of the first semi-final featured censorship by Mango TV of Ireland's Ryan O'Shaughnessy, as well as audience members displaying pride flags during the performance by {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=2018}}'s Zibbz; these performances reportedly went against Chinese guidelines that prohibit "abnormal sexual relationships and behaviours" due to the same-sex dancing.{{Cite news |date=2018-05-11 |title=Eurovision 2018: Chinese channel barred from airing contest |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-44078305 |access-date=2023-05-12}} {{esccnty|Albania|y=2018}}'s Eugent Bushpepa was also censored due to the open display of tattoos, which broke guidelines around the featuring of "sub-cultures" and "dispirited cultures".{{cite web |last1=Royston |first1=Benny |title=China banned from broadcasting Eurovision after cutting same-sex dance and tattooed singer |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/10/china-banned-from-broadcasting-eurovision-after-cutting-same-sex-dance-and-tattooed-singer-7536787/ |publisher=Metro |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=10 May 2018 |archive-date=31 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731055726/https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/10/china-banned-from-broadcasting-eurovision-after-cutting-same-sex-dance-and-tattooed-singer-7536787/ |url-status=live }} As a result of the termination, the Chinese broadcaster was unable to broadcast the second semi-final or the final of the 2018 contest or any future contests.{{cite web |last1=Bakker |first1=Sietse |title=EBU terminates this year's partnership with Mango TV |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ebu-terminates-this-year-s-partnership-with-mango-tv |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=10 May 2018 |archive-date=31 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731103700/https://eurovision.tv/story/ebu-terminates-this-year-s-partnership-with-mango-tv |url-status=live }}

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Sources:

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• Doron Braunshtein, [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1193198861 Why do gay men love the Eurovision : the philosophy and rationale behind the obsessive love of the gay community for the Eurovision Song Contest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220162643/https://www.worldcat.org/title/why-do-gay-men-love-the-eurovision-the-philosophy-and-rationale-behind-the-obsessive-love-of-the-gay-community-for-the-eurovision-song-contest/oclc/1193198861 |date=2022-02-20 }}, 2019
• {{cite book |last=O'Connor |first=John Kennedy |author-link=John Kennedy O'Connor |title=The Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History |date=2010 |publisher=Carlton Books |location=London |isbn=978-1-84732-521-1 |edition=2nd}}
• {{cite book |last=West |first=Chris |author-link=Chris West |title=Eurovision! A History of Modern Europe Through the World's Greatest Song Contest |date=2020 |publisher=Melville House UK |location=London |isbn=978-1-911545-55-2 |edition=2nd}}

{{refend}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest}}

Category:Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision Song Contest