EP 2: Queer-o-Vision: The Queer History of Eurovision

Mysteries of the EuroVerse

#02: Queer-o-Vision

18:36 - Gustaph (Eurovision Contestant, 2023, Representing Belgium)

35:18 Robin de Jesus (Three time Tony Nominated actor, Netflix’s tick…tick..BOOM!, Hulu’s Welcome to Chippendales)

There’s always been something a little queer about Eurovision. In our second episode, we explore the contest’s history with the LGBTQ+ community– and how this “family show” has, at many points in its nearly 70 year existence, been way out front on LGBT rights issues. We also discuss the moments when the contest hasn’t lived up to its image.

We then talk to Gustaph, who, as a teen, left a promising career as a popstar in Belgium because of pressure to stay in the closet– only to emerge two decades later on the world’s largest stage with a song that’s unabashedly queer. The surprise hit of Eurovision this year, it catapulted to the top ten after being placed toward the bottom in the betting markets. We discuss how Gustaph’s out and proud second act reflects a radically changed culture, and the ways in which homophobia, now subtler, seeps into both the fandom and supposedly “aesthetic” criticism.

Tony nominated American actor Robin de Jesus then stops by to play a game of “Gay or Eurovision.” As he guesses whether a number is performed by a queer artist, or if its queer aesthetics are just part of the Eurovision brand; we talk about the evolution of queer style and queer music in a time of expanding rights and mainstreaming of the community. And that conversation sounds gay to you— you have no idea how gay it gets.

Links:

Dana International on Pinkwashing: https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/r1emcq8g2

Ping Pong: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/may/12/israel

Mango TV Scandal: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-44078305

The Queer Politics of Eurovision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnjtzn7ZkCs

Charlie’s Politico Article: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/20/tricky-politics-of-eurovision-during-war-00097885

Gay or Eurovision:

Give That Wolf A Banana - Subwolfer - Norway, 2022 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJjo8s3fKUM

Lasha Tumbai - Verka Serduchka - Ukraine, 2007 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfjHJneVonE

Cezar - It’s My Life - Russia, 2013 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHWFiavqjA

Mahmood and Blanco - Brividi - Italy, 2022 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MgMhzfUmiA

Minn Hintsi Dans -Paul Oscar - Iceland, 1997 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-D4AAkYpsk