Russian politician condemns Eurovision as 'Europe-wide gay parade'

[pampango]

Austria's entry for Eurovision this year is drag queen Conchita Wurst, aka Tom Neuwirth.

St Petersburg legislator Vitaly Milonov – who sponsored a local law against homosexual propaganda in 2011 that helped pave the way for a similar federal law last year – has written a letter to Russia's Eurovision selection committee asking it not to send Russian musicians to the 2014 competition in Copenhagen in May.

"Even just broadcasting the competition in Russia could insult millions of Russians," Milonov said in the letter, according to a statement from his press service. "The participation of the obvious transvestite and hermaphrodite Conchita Wurst on the same stage as Russian singers on live television is blatant propaganda of homosexuality and spiritual decay."

Eurovision – taking place this year from 6-10 May – has long drawn Milonov's ire. He has previously called for his country to hold its own "Russiavision" showcasing "traditional values" – a term that President Vladimir Putin has also used to paint Russia as a bastion against western spiritual decline.

In 2012, he filed a complaint that Lady Gaga had violated the St Petersburg law against promoting homosexuality among minors when she called for respect for gay rights during her concert in the city. He also filed a complaint arguing that Lady Gaga and Madonna – who had called for gay people to be treated with dignity at a St Petersburg concert – had violated visa rules during their Russian tours.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/russia-boycott-eurovision-gay-parade

"the path of cultural and moral renewal that Russia stands on today", "blatant propaganda of homosexuality and spiritual decay", "the "pervert from Austria" and "traditional values" all sound like terms from our fundamentalist right. Our fundamentalists may have gotten their message across in Russia.

[OKNancy]

1. fuckers

I'm really getting an unhealthy hatred of these people.

[Cha]

2. Too bad, you're such an ignorant idiot, Milonov

[ProSense]

8. These pieces that are

critical of Russia don't seem to get much attention.

Kerry: The Internet Iron Curtain
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024892529

[chrisa]

3. The lunatics are running the asylum

[msongs]

4. a nation of alcoholics with a declining population heading for extinction nt

[moriah]

5. I know some people who I think would be happier in Russia.... n/t

[LuvNewcastle]

6. Just fascists being fascists.

They swill vodka like it's water and wonder why their birthrate is declining. It must be the evil queers who keep them from making enough babies. What positive influence does Russia have in the world? I can't think of a damn thing. Yet they feel the need to lecture everyone else on spiritual decline.

[okaawhatever]

7. K & R nt

[NuclearDem]

9. Fucking fascist prick.