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Eurovision contacts Russian TV stations over anti-gay law concerns
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 11 November 2013
Two Russian TV stations have been contacted by a senior figure at the Eurovision Song Contest in relation to the country’s controversial anti-gay laws, after a number of other countries seemingly expressed concern. The organisation has written to Channel One and RTR requesting answers to four questions about the artistic freedom and safety of contestants if the competition were ever to be held in Russia again.
Thomas Schreiber, who is head of Entertainment at German TV station NDR and a member of the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, which oversees the development of the competition, told German magazine Stern: “We have decided to take this step because some large delegations, including Germany, have expressed massive security concerns”.
Stern also says that Sweden has said it may refuse to participate in a Russian Eurovision unless these concerns were addressed.
As previously reported, the new laws in Russia, enacted last year, make it illegal to ‘promote’ homosexuality to minors. Lady Gaga and Madonna were both accused of breaching these rules when performing in the country, and many have expressed concern about the staging of the Winter Olympics in Russia, with gay athletes and attendees potentially facing arrest.
