1998: Israeli transsexual pop singer Dana International wins with the song "Diva," an ode to great female (and gay) icons of history: Aphrodite, Cleopatra and Queen Victoria. Here she is singing her winning song in a clip that gives a sense of the contest's pageantry and the seriousness with which it is taken.
2002: Slovenia is represented by Sestre, a drag trio in flight-attendant uniforms whose song "Samo Ljubezen" ("Only Love") is the first Eurovision entry written about coming out of the closet, and places 13th. Interestingly, the controversy surrounding Sestre did not involve the song or the act themselves, but the fact that at the Slovene pre-selection, the second-place winner marched out of the proceedings in tears.
2003: The contest was opened by Elton John wishing the participants good luck from Vienna's Life Ball (an annual fundraiser for HIV/AIDS). The 2003 edition itself had a fair amount of gay energy onstage, although not so much from the men. Germany was represented by the rainbow-haired Lou, who encouraged the viewers at home to "get happy and be gay." Famed faux lesbians t.A.T.u., representing Russia , fumbled a kiss, sang wildly off-key and yet somehow managed a third-place finish. Perhaps in a peace gesture to Sestre, Karmen Stavec (who came second to them in 2002 with a disco number) wore pink while performing "Nanana," a song which borrowed heavily from The Carpenters' "Superstar."
2004: Bosnia-Herzegovina was represented by young, out singer Deen, singing "In the Disco" (although one could be easily forgiven for singing Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" over it), while Denmark was represented by out performer Thomas Thordarson, taking time off from his day job as a teacher and parent. Deen came seventh at the final, while Thomas couldn't make it out of the qualifier round without the aid of mirror balls and dancers.
2006: Last year was one of the gayest yet. Out and flamboyant Bulgarian singer Azis sang backup for that year's Bulgarian entrant, Mariana Popova, clad in what appeared to be a floor-length skirt and high heels. Openly gay Swedish singer Andreas Lundstedt (formerly of Alcazar) formed part of the Swiss entry Six4One, and Moldovan entrant Arsenium was outed as a bisexual slave after an ad on a S/M site surfaced.
If these descriptions of a musical land of feather boas, sequins and crotch-grabbing tickle your fancy, then you can easily follow the Eurovision fun online (two websites: ESCToday.com and DotEurovision.com offer year-around extensive coverage, as well as links to the multitude of blogs and websites of this year's performers. There is also the official website, Eurovision.tv, which offers streaming video of the previews for this year's entries and live streaming video (and video on demand) of this year's qualifying and final Rounds.
The contest itself will take place on Thursday, May 10 and Saturday, May 12 in Helsinki. If you are hoping to watch it on regular television, then your options are limited by your local cable provider and your proficiency in a foreign language. RTP International (the overseas channel of Portugal's RTP) and TVE International (the international channel of Spain's TVE) carry both shows, but with commentary in Portuguese and Spanish respectively.
Fortunately, as an international show where English is widely used, there is much that does not require translation, and the all important voting results for all 38 participants are given in English and French. With these options, you have few excuses not to print out a scorecard, grab some Bucks Fizz, and enjoy the gayest pop show on earth.
I just have a few comments: The Ark took part in Melodifestivalen, which is the national preselection for Sweden. Their song is called "The Worrying kind", very David Bowie. And if I recall correctly Deen was far from out in 2004. I mean there was no mistaking his sexuality, but I remember press conferences where he claimed to be straight (blabbing about the pretty female dancers, while petting his pet-rabbits "Dolce" and "Gabbana")
Given the amount of "probably gay" singers in Eurovision, the amount of performers who are actually out is pretty depressing in my opinion. But then again, being queer in eastern Europe is probably not all fun and games and Eurovision contests.
But I'm really really looking forward to tonight! Bring it on!
cool too see that americans care about this competition too ;) I really love it, and since I'm swedish I want The Ark to win, their song is really, relly good I think. Just one hour to see who makes it to the finale!!
You've forgotten to mention other openly gay performers form last years Eurovision (though some of them came out after the competition). For example: Irish Brian Kennedy (2006), Donna and Joseph McCaul (2005), Finnish Jari Sillanpää (2004). Also, your saying that Verka's creator is straight, is ... hmm, unbased.
Forget the songs, it's all about politics. A West European country will never win again, everyone votes for their neighbours... Cyprus will never, ever, give 12 points to anyone but Greece. Ireland don't want to win anymore, hosting it two years running nearly killed them. Father Ted even did an episode based around sending the absolute worst entry they could find.
OMG, after reading this I'm
Eurovision
Loved the review of so many years of Eurovision!
I just have a few comments: The Ark took part in Melodifestivalen, which is the national preselection for Sweden. Their song is called "The Worrying kind", very David Bowie. And if I recall correctly Deen was far from out in 2004. I mean there was no mistaking his sexuality, but I remember press conferences where he claimed to be straight (blabbing about the pretty female dancers, while petting his pet-rabbits "Dolce" and "Gabbana")
Given the amount of "probably gay" singers in Eurovision, the amount of performers who are actually out is pretty depressing in my opinion. But then again, being queer in eastern Europe is probably not all fun and games and Eurovision contests.
But I'm really really looking forward to tonight! Bring it on!
Thanks, Griet. I fixed
Love ESC
Thanks, Hikaru
It's all political.