Gay Star News reports that the Turkish broadcaster TRT has taken the drastic measure to cancel tonight’s Eurovision Second Semi-Final program because of Finland’s show, which ends with a lesbian kiss.
Krista Siegfrieds, the Finnish contestant, has chosen to end her “Marry Me” performance with a surprise kiss planted on one of her female backing vocalist’s lips. As Krista told Deban back in April, the lesbian kiss is her way of protesting against Finland’s failure to allow full equal rights to the LGBT community, including gay marriage. You can watch the kiss at the end of her rehearsal below:
The lesbian kiss, allowed by the European Broadcasting Union EBU after previously forbidding Russian duo t.A.T.u. to kiss onstage exactly ten years ago, signals a welcome shift in mentalities. Nonetheless, it has sparked outrage among the Turkish press and gay activists say that this is the reason why TRT is cancelling the show. However, TRT claims that the reason would be poor ratings – although one in four Turks is usually watching Eurovision.
We are very supportive of Krista, who is promoting gay rights on an international stage, and we are sad that the Turkish TV viewers are denied the live show. Nonetheless, we remind them that they can watch the Second Semi-final online on the Eurovision.tv website. And we wish Krista to qualify!
Photo credit: Sander Hesterman (EBU)
Bogdan Honciuc is a Romania-based correspondent for WiwiBloggs.com.
You can read our song reviews on the Wiwi Jury page. Then read the lyrics to this year’s entries on our contestants page. And then vote for your favourite contestants in our various polls.
It’s quite obvious that you didn’t know what you were talking about. TRT has nothing to do with “lesbian kissing”. Actually what TRT does is a noble thing as they protest the voting mechanism (wich is annoying as all the countries vote through their political benefits). They took the risk of being protested by the people for not broadcasting such an event. But I think that it was the right decision to make.
Sorry Bogdan but Phil is correct. Finland’s lesbian kiss has nothing to do with TRT’s decision to not show the final. When TRT showed the Eurovision final in 2011, it was ratings disaster as Turkey was not in the final, and the televote figures were woefully low – around 100,000 in total from a country of 75 million.
So let’s get this straight. Turkey had no problem sending a whorish act in 2009 where Hadise was semi-dressed and was humping the dancer or stage, but all of a sudden they’re censoring a 2 second kiss on the tape…Turkey is just pissed because they won’t be included in the list of big 5…Pathetic.
@zey
zey,do you really believe in this? do you really think the cancel is about the bombing? did the president or any member of the government visit the area and see what happened there? Did they do something for the people that lost their children,parents,relatives? i can say, the answer is NO!
So isn’t it stupidity to think they’re too sensitive about the bombing in Hatay.
or are you that naive?
Turkish government is just a bunch of bigots,nothing more.
It is disgusting. Girls or guys kissing each other or making love it is just sick!!! Even though I have gay friends but seing the sciene of two love making gays, makes me sick!!!!
I am from Turkey and our national tv is cencoring many many things because of our government and I am against this of course!!!However fellas….this time,the reason eurovision broadcast was canceled is that our one of the south cities “Hatay” has been bombed….and over 150 people died recently–11 may…This is why the broadcast wass canceled.
They are lesbians so? Racists !!!!!!!!!
I’m from Turkey and I’m sure the cancellation is because of the kiss. Our goverment has zero tolerance against anything. And here I was thinking I had a valid reason to watch Eurovision for the first time in my life.
@ phil – As I mentioned in the article, TRT’s official stance is different from what the activists are saying (outraged reactions in the media regarding the lesbian kiss), but that doesn’t mean that what the national broadcaster claims is true. TRT first announced that they would broadcast the show despite the country not taking part in the contest, yet they did a 180 and decided against it at the last minute, citing “low ratings”. Please! Since the Eurovision Song Contest is wildly popular in Turkey, it is obvious that this is NOT the reason behind it.
Really… I knew they were a bit spas but really this is bullshit dem thirdies better self destruct and broadcast terrorisim HHHHHH dem muslims.
Is this because of the lesbian kiss? they announced they would not show the final on 15th May. http://www.trtenglish.com/trtworld/en/newsdetail.aspx?haberkodu=5ac5610b-c718-4a10-8bd0-482db9524ecb apparently due to a longstanding dispute that started in December about voting rights.
I am gay and all for equality but this ‘news’ piece stinks of BS!!
I think my best song is Tomorrow of Gianluca Bezzina..!! Good Luck to everywhere in the final…!!
‘Tomorrow’ the song coming from the island of Malta was a song that I enjoyed hearing……..nothing bombastique that distracted listeners from actually hearing the songs like some did!!!! I think that this band should do very well in the finals of saturday!!!!! Vote wisely…vote Malta and Gianluca together with his band!!!!
MALTA HAS A GREAT SINGER, GIANLUCA SINGING “TOMOROW”. PLEASE SUPPORT THE MALTESE SINGER.VOTE FOR TOMORROW…. WELLCOME TO SONNY, SAFE, SECURE MALTA….THANK YOU FOR YOU SUPPORT
It’s a bit scary that a national broadcaster does this if this is true. Basically a message that gay people are not wanted and actually condemned by the broadcaster and the government behind it. Hope this is not true.
I’m a Turkish Cypriot and I have to say, even though the Turks are homophobes (yes) and I hate that, they weren’t going to air the contest anyway this year, so it’s not the kiss’s fault…
Turkey homophobes!! Make sure that if you’re able to vote this evening, you give Finland your gayvote <3
A kiss is porn??? If Nodi and Sophie were to kiss at the end of their song, would that be porn too? Wonder what porno movie I’ll watch tomorrow night. ‘m thinking about Sleepless in Seattle. Or possibly Notting Hill. Hope I don’t get too excited.
Go Krista, great way to take a stand on a principally important issue.
Krista has beautiful song. I simply adore it! But that kiss on the end had negative influence on me. What the hell is she doing ?! I think it will just take a lot of votes for Finland. This is Eurovision Song Contest, not LGBT porn!
Not it looks like Turkey is REALLY going to return and that the EBU is so begging them to do so. *sarcasm off*
What TRT is doing is bullshit…
*megusta* That will get her some points from me! |D
That is uncivilazed from Turkey,full support for Krista and Serbian Esc gay community!Bravo sisters!
I’m glad Krista is taking a stand for same-sex couples and their right to marry. Having said that, it may, or may not have negative consequences to her final result. I felt that the very short clip of two men (basically) kissing in France’s entry last year may have affected Anggun’s final result in an adverse way. I hope she qualifies though – the song is brilliant, and a breath of fresh air from everything else this year. Azerbaijan and some of the more conservative countries might not give her points after this, but I’m sure guys reaching into their… Read more »