Yahoo – AFP,
11 May 2014
Conchita
Wurst representing Austria performs "Rise Like A Phoenix" after
winning
the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 10, 2014
(AFP Photo/
Jonathan Nackstrand)
|
Moscow
(AFP) - Victory for Austria's bearded transvestite Conchita Wurst at the
Eurovision Song Contest prompted an outpouring of anti-gay anger from Russian
politicians and stars on Sunday.
Deputy
Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin wrote on Twitter that the Eurovision result
"showed supporters of European integration their European future: a
bearded girl."
"There's
no limit to our outrage. It's the end of Europe. It has turned wild. They don't
have men and women any more. They have 'it'," nationalist politician
Vladimir Zhirinovsky told Rossiya-1 state television.
Conchita
Wurst representing Austria
performs "Rise Like A Phoenix" after
winning the Eurovision Song Contest in
Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 10,
2014
(AFP Photo/Jonathan Nackstrand)
|
Russia's
entry, the Tolmachevy Sisters, came seventh.
Russia gave
Austria five points -- one more than it awarded Ukraine as the ex-Soviet
neighbours are locked in a deadly crisis.
Russia last
year adopted a controversial law banning the "propaganda" of homosexuality
to minors, prompting condemnation from Western leaders and rights activists.
Russia has also banned adoption of Russian children by foreign gay couples.
Popular
hip-hop star Timati wrote on his Instagram account that Wurst's victory was the
result of a "mental illness of contemporary society".
"I
wouldn't like one fine day to have to explain to my child why two guys are
kissing or a woman is walking round with a dyed beard and that's supposed to be
normal," he said.
But
Ukrainian drag act Verka Serduchka, who came second at Eurovision in 2007,
strongly backed Wurst.
Austria's
Conchita Wurst poses with the
trophy after winning the Eurovision Song
Contest
in Copenhagen, Denmark, on
May 11, 2014 (AFP Photo/Jonathan
Nackstrand)
|
"To be
honest, at the start it did shock me a bit, but when I saw it, I thought: why
not? A person wants to express himself," said Andriy Danilko, who performs
as Serduchka.
"We
need to be more compassionate. I hate when people are bullied," Danilko
told Rossiya-1 television.
"She
is kind. Don't be mean to her. She is an eccentric. An eccentric with a
beard."
Flamboyant
pop star Filipp Kirkorov, producer of Russia's Eurovision entry this year, even
suggested Wurst's victory should make Russians reconsider homophobic views.
"Maybe
this is a kind of protest against some of our views in Russia. Maybe we should
have a think. Maybe we shouldn't have such a categorical attitude to people of
different sexual orientations," he told Rossiya-1 television.
"In a
way it probably is a challenge from Europe to us, but let's respect the winner.
People don't judge a winner," Kirkorov said.
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Bearded Eurovision drag queen draws controversy
Conchita Wurst: “This night
is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. You
know who you are! We are unity and we are unstoppable!”.
Related Articles:
Bearded Eurovision queen vows fight for tolerance not over
Bearded Eurovision drag queen draws controversy
The Netherlands is surprise second in Eurovision Song festival
РПЦ категорически против бородатых мужиков в платьях! pic.twitter.com/b1TLmsRI4s
— Рустем Адагамов (@adagamov) 14 mei 2014
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