The Eurovision Song Contest is for everyone, whether "straight or gay or in between". LGBT visibility in the contest includes both LGBT themes in the competing acts and performers themselves.
LGBT participants[]
LGBT presenters[]
| Year | Presenter | Host Country | Identifies as | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Yigal Ravid |  Israel
|
Gay | |
| 2019 | Assi Azar | Israel
|
Gay | |
| 2021 | Nikkie de Jager |  The Netherlands
|
Transgender | |
| 2022 | Mika |  Italy
|
Gay | |
| 2023 | Graham Norton |  United Kingdom
|
Gay |
LGBT themes in competing acts[]
| Year | Country | Song | Themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 |  Luxembourg
|
Nous les amoureux | A love song regarding a same-sex relationship. |
| 1973 |  Switzerland
|
Je vais me marier, Marie | Lyrics include same-sex relationship references. |
| 1975 |  Belgium
|
Gelukkig zijn | Ann Cristy always imagined the song was written about a lesbian couple. |
| 1986 |  Norway
|
Romeo | The backing dancers were drag queens and were members of The Great Garlic Girls. |
| 2000 | Israel
|
Be Happy | For a little bit, both guy singers do same-sex kissing each other. |
| 2002 |  Slovenia
|
Samo ljubezen | Sestre, the trio that sang the song, preformed in drag at the contest. |
| 2013 |  Finland
|
Marry Me | Krista Siegfrids kissed one of her female backing singers to protest Finland's stance on marriage equality. |
| 2015 |  Lithuania
|
This Time | When Vaidas and Monika kissed each other midway through the song, the two female and two male backing vocalists performed same-sex kisses. |
| 2018 |  Ireland
|
Together | The song's music video and live performance featured dancers portraying a same-sex couple. |
| 2020 |  Azerbaijan
|
Cleopatra | The song's lyrics contained the line "Straight or Gay or in between". |
| 2022 |  San Marino
|
Stripper | The song's music video and live performance featured a same-sex kiss between Achille Lauro and one of his male backing performers. |
| 2023 | Belgium
|
Because Of You | The song is a tribute to one's chosen family where queer people find love and support. The song's live performance even featured Vogue dancing, which is associated with the LGBT community. |
| 2024 | Ireland
|
Doomsday Blue | During the live performance, Bambie Thug wore an outfit with the colours of the Transgender Flag. |
| Switzerland
|
The Code | The song is about Nemo's journey of identifying themself as neither a man nor a woman, but as a non-binary person. | |
| United Kingdom
|
Dizzy | At the performance, there are multiple moments where the male dancers almost kiss each other. During the song's bridge, the dancers simulate same-sex intercourse. |
Trivia[]
- Paul Oscar became the contest's first openly LGBT+ artist when he represented Iceland at the 1997 contest.
- Dana International became the first transgender to compete in the contest, and also the first (and as of 2024, the only) to win.
- Nemo became the first (and as of 2024, the only) openly non-binary artist to win.
- The 2021 edition is currently the one with the highest confirmed number of LGBTQ+ contestants. There were 10 artists, representing 9 different countries.
- Both Israel and the Netherlands have sent 7 acts performed by confirmed LGBTQ+ contestants, the highest number in the Eurovision history.
- If the 2020 cancelled contest counts, the Netherlands is the sole recordist, with 8 songs.
- Out of the 52 countries that had already taken part in the contest, 32 have already sent at least one openly LGBTQ+ artist as representative.
- Up until 2024, a total of 11 acts performed by LGBTQ+ contestants had won the contest.
References[]
- ↑ Alessandra Mele: “My song was written especially for Eurovision” (en). Eurovision Fun (23 January 2023). Retrieved on 11 April 2023.
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/alexpanayiofficial
- ↑ https://www.gwida.mt/mt/u-i-wasal-dalg-odu-u-qalbna-ser-tfur-bil-fer---amber-u-olwyn
- ↑ https://rateyourmusic.com/list/FinleyUnreleased/eurovision-lgbtiq-contestants-anthems/
- ↑ Axel Hirsoux getrouwd met een man (nl). Gazet van Antwerpen (7 May 2014). Retrieved on 9 November 2021.
- ↑ Le youtubeur Bilal Hassani, idole queer des jeunes, représentera la France à l'Eurovision (fr). Le Monde.fr (27 January 2019). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2011/03/29/vlaamse_zanger_bobbennyisoverleden-1-969181/
- ↑ https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/brian-kennedy-reveals-his-comingout-torment-14475329.html
- ↑ https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/01/12/hablaron-con-los-responsables-nadie-hizo-nada-y-me-tuve-que-ir-chanel-confiesa-el-duro-episodio-que-le-hizo-encontrar-su-camino-cadena-ser/
- ↑ Conchita Wurst: 'Most artists are sensitive and insecure people. I am too' (6 July 2014). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ https://www.leprogres.fr/jura/2016/05/14/dany-dauberson-enterree-a-saint-claude-avait-represente-la-france-a-l-eurovision
- ↑ https://avaz.ba/showbiz/jet-set/701925/fuad-backovic-deen-s-deckom-willom-phearsonom-na-rodendanskoj-zabavi
- ↑ https://rateyourmusic.com/list/FinleyUnreleased/eurovision-lgbtiq-contestants-anthems/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20081106162132/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/5174
- ↑ Netherlands: Douwe Bob Comes Out As Bi (en) (10 March 2016). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Akingbade, Tobi (22 July 2019). Duncan James 'proud to be gay' as he reveals new boyfriend Rodrigo Reis (en). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Dutch Eurovision contestant Duncan Laurence comes out as bisexual. Gay Times (18 May 2019). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Allen, Dan (14 May 2022). How a Eurovision star's song about coming out became a gay anthem. Retrieved on 11 July 2022.
- ↑ Sanremo 2021, i Maneskin si spogliano e parlano di libertà sessuale (Italian) (12 February 2021). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ https://www.qx.se/noje/21416/gabriel-forss-har-lamnat-garderoben-kommer-ut-i-ny-bok/
- ↑ Santos, Pedro (23 March 2023). Gustaph from Belgium: "My Eurovision performance will be very different". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2023.
- ↑ Asked and Answered - Harel Skaat (30 March 2011). Retrieved on 28 February 2022.
- ↑ Israeli entrant to Eurovision says humiliated at Russian airport for being gay (en) (23 April 2016). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Kelly, Emma (21 May 2021). Iceland's Eurovision entry warms queer hearts as singer waves pansexual flag (en). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Imri on Facebook (9 June 2023). Retrieved on 10 June 2023.
- ↑ pronouns = she/her they/their (en) (31 May 2021).
- ↑ https://shangay.com/2021/05/18/javi-soleil-dnash-gay-eurovision-nuevo-single-vivela/
- ↑ https://www.rtbf.be/article/nous-les-amoureux-de-jean-claude-pascal-une-chanson-qui-annonce-la-revolution-du-mouvement-gay-10221083
- ↑ Jeangu Macrooy: 10 facts about the Netherlands' Eurovision 2021 singer (en) (23 March 2021). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Jendrik Sigwart privat: Mit Freund Jan in Rotterdam? Das ist unser ESC-Kandidat 2021 (de) (14 May 2021). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-huawei-rev1&sca_esv=583590671&sxsrf=AM9HkKlQTRwBJwCwa2wqD2qrNl0trjYd2A:1700304146313&q=j%C3%BCrgen+marcus+nikolaus+fischer&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLVT9c3NEwrMqkwKzQxecRowS3w8sc9YSn9SWtOXmPU5OIKzsgvd80rySypFJLmYoOyBKX4uVB18ixilc86vKcoPTVPITexKLm0WCEvMzs_JxHISMssTs5ILQIAk6XPV24AAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUoJrFrs2CAxV-SvEDHZOyCwgQzIcDKAB6BAgfEAE&biw=360&bih=688&dpr=3
- ↑ https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13030370.kathy-kirby/
- ↑ INTERVIEW: Katrina Leskanich - (29 June 2013).
- ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters url and title must be specified.
- ↑ https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/a/oRn2g7/kim-jag-ar-bisexuell
- ↑ https://www.gaysir.no/#/artikkel/16249
- ↑ 'I'm bisexual... I would never disrespect anyone like that': Lee Ryan denies claims he is transphobic or homophobic after foul-mouthed attack on a drag queen over gender identity.
- ↑ 'I pushed being gay deep down inside me' - Eurovision hopeful Lesley Roy (en) (15 March 2020). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Eurovision winner Loreen comes out as bisexual (en) (6 February 2017). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ "JA SAM GEJ" Srpski predstavnik na Evroviziji Luke Black objavio snimak sa drugaricom jutjuberkom - UZBURKALI MREŽE (VIDEO) (7 March 2023). Retrieved on 11 April 2023.
- ↑ Singer Melovin comes out as bisexual in historic moment for Ukraine (6 July 2021). Retrieved on 29 June 2024.
- ↑ Carter, William (13 February 2022). Israel: Five Things to Know About Michael Ben David. Retrieved on 18 March 2022.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 https://www.dnamagazine.com.au/electric-fields/
- ↑ Michał Szpak ujawnił swoją orientację seksualną. Czym jest panseksualność? (pl) (13 October 2022). Retrieved on 3 September 2023.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/actualmontaigne/status/1308748804649181185?lang=en
- ↑ Fry, Courtney (11 May 2023). "Kept it to myself to keep other people comfortable": Montaigne now identifies as non-binary. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved on 19 May 2023.
- ↑ https://www.sudinfo.be/id607308/article/2023-01-25/mustii-integre-le-jury-de-drag-race-belgique-jai-ete-emu-aux-larmes-plusieurs
- ↑ Nemo macht, was Nemo will (de) (11 May 2024). Retrieved on 14 May 2024.
- ↑ https://www.24sata.hr/show/nina-kraljic-biseksualna-sam-odricala-sam-se-zbog-glazbe-a-jos-imam-oziljke-i-od-batina-740470
- ↑ https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.today.com/today/amp/rcna36977
- ↑ https://www.lesoir.be/art/les-bleus-au-coeur-de-patrick-juvet_t-20050428-Z0QJED.html
- ↑ https://rateyourmusic.com/list/FinleyUnreleased/eurovision-lgbtiq-contestants-anthems/
- ↑ “I always thought I was a boy in a girl’s body” — Romania’s Roxen comes out as non-binary (en-US) (3 August 2021).
- ↑ Jude, Padraig (5 February 2014). Ryan Dolan: I Wish I Came Out A Long Time Ago. Retrieved on 10 November 2014.
- ↑ [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/12/23/saara-alto-opens-up-about-her-sexuality-as-she-poses-in-stunning-new-photo- shoot/ Saara Alto opens up about her sexuality as she poses in stunning new photo shoot] (en) (23 December 2016). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ https://expresso.pt/blitz/2024-03-06-Salvador-Sobral-Sou-intersexual.-O-meu-corpo-nao-produz-testosterona-b50c7379
- ↑ https://rateyourmusic.com/list/FinleyUnreleased/eurovision-lgbtiq-contestants-anthems/
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 https://e.walla.co.il/item/3460607
- ↑ Alfonso-Gregorio, Nikki (11 January 2022). Sheldon Riley of The Voice Australia: 'I get to be the person I've always wanted to be'. Retrieved on 28 February 2022.
- ↑ Montenegro Eurovision Singer Hits Wrong Note Back Home (en) (21 April 2017). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/may/21/artsnews.television
- ↑ Shalom, Nir Raz (4 December 2018). Congrats to "Tom Hugo" Married His Partner Today (en-US). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ Norway: Tooji comes out, releases new song “The Father Project” (en) (8 June 2015). Retrieved on 9 November 2021.
- ↑ Eurovision's Vasil is ready to be a voice for LGBTQ people in North Macedonia and the Balkans (en) (2 May 2021). Retrieved on 8 November 2021.
- ↑ https://elpais.com/gente/2023-05-11/hola-mi-bebebe-el-hit-que-le-dio-al-representante-de-rumania-en-eurovision-2022-un-ano-de-exito-y-bolos-en-espana.html