Hungary’s Eurovision broadcaster has said it is outrageous and unacceptable for journalists to write that it withdrew from Eurovision over the presence of gay performers.
As Hi Radio reports, the state-run broadcaster has firmly denied reports that have appeared in domestic media and in foreign publications like The Guardian and The Telegraph in recent days. In a statement it said: “The press statements about sexual orientation violate human dignity, press ethical standards and the rule of law.”
The broadcaster reiterated its earlier statement that it was leaving Eurovision so that it could focus on helping Hungarian musicians achieve success at home. You’ll remember that the prize for winning A Dal — its former Eurovision selection — will now include appearances and gigs at prestigious events in Hungary, rather than a trip to ESC.
MTVA added that it doesn’t acknowledge anyone’s sexual orientation — that’s gay, straight or otherwise — in any production. “However, the question arises as to why the media is writing about this,” they said.
Zoltan Kovacs, the Secretary of State for Communications and Relations in the Prime Minister’s office, has issued a particularly blistering response, describing reports as “fake news”. He said “shameless muckraking” was creating a “sensational, liberal story line.”
What are you talking about? This is shameless muckraking, gossip from your liberal press organs. Nobody in the HU government ever said Eurovision is, in your words, “too gay.” But don’t let the facts get in the way of your sensational, liberal story line. #fakenews https://t.co/yLc0TW8CUr
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) November 27, 2019
Writing in a blog post, he reiterated that leaving Eurovision is a chance for the broadcaster to help artists directly through other festivals and opportunities. He wrote:
“They couldn’t stomach a factual, reasonable explanation; they needed something more. They needed something that makes for a good headline, something that draws clicks and sells papers. And these people – who call themselves ‘journalists’ – usually don’t like to go the extra mile and look into actual details behind an argument. So, they reached for their bluntest weapon: fake news and some egregious Hungary-bashing.”
Why did Hungary withdraw from Eurovision 2020?
Eurovision fans have, of course, been discussing the country’s withdrawal for several weeks. It all started late in October when MTVA published the rules for A Dal 2020. They made it clear the contest would no longer serve as a selection for Eurovision.
Still we all retained hope that maybe they’d choose an artist internally and rock up in Rotterdam. When we approached the broadcaster for comment, they simply reiterated their earlier statement that they “will support the valuable productions created by the talents of Hungarian pop music directly” and “support the winner of A Dal 2020 with numerous promotional opportunities and a chance to perform on the stages of the most prestigious Hungarian festivals.”
Even after the EBU revealed the list of 41 competing countries, essentially confirming Hungary was out, the broadcaster still refused to provide any clarity. Countless Hungarian fans speculated on social media that the conservative government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was likely pulling the plug over gay performers. It’s easy to understand why people consider that possible. It’s well documented that some high-level members of the ruling Fidesz party oppose LGBT rights. Among other things, some have equated same-sex adoption to pedophilia and called on a boycott of Coca-Cola for runnning an ad promoting gay tolerance. Last year a production of Billy Elliot was cancelled after a pro-government newspaper said the musical — about an aspiring male ballerina — could turn people gay.
The world outside finally took notice of Hungary’s Eurovision status when index.hu speculated about Hungary’s withdrawal, suggesting it came down to money or the government’s stance on all matters LGBT. The Guardian subsequently quoted an unnamed source at MTVA who said that despite there not being an official reason for their withdrawal, there was an assumption it had to do with Eurovision’s well-known connection to the gay community.
“I was not surprised,” the paper quoted its source as saying. “It comes from the organisational culture of MTVA.” The source added that positive coverage of LGBT rights was discouraged.
What do you think about all this? Do you think the broadcaster is covering the tracks of government officials? Is the media sensationalising a rather mundane story? Let us know down below.
LOL Don’t get why people think it’s too gay. Maybe the kiss cam part that included gay couples made some people uncomfortable. They should’ve just only showed the straight couples and people would shut up. I’m straight and I’ve never felt anything wrong with it. Eurovison is a platform for different kinds of people and they welcome anyone ..don’t get why people complain about not many straight audience in the live shows. If you have money, everyone can go. It’s not gay people’s fault that they love to go there.
You are allowed to be gay and LGBTQ discrimination is banned in Hungary, yet they are withdrawing because of LGBTQ. How does that make sense?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWagi_KOJf0
You probably don’t know the current condition in Hungary. The anti-LGBT wave is rising.
I get used to being jumped on when I talk about it, but whatever. Yes, yes it is. Imagine 2 really similar songs, both representing “neutral” countries. Only difference is that one artist is openly gay (i mean talk about it whenever he can) and other one is straight. If it was all neutral, they would get similar amout of points but we all know that gay one would crush straight one both with juries and televote. And if your orientation is so crucial, then there’s a problem. If you treat/persude straight people worse for no reason you are no… Read more »
Hope every gay people die!!
Why are you commenting here then?
Because its about a country that has withdrawn from ESC based on the contest has been “too gay” your idiot
I think Dawid is gay from Poland. Nobody should die. Eastern Europe is moving in the good direction, we are only afraid that political correctness from Western Europe will ruin everything.
I hope I was clear…Eastern Europe is more and more open minded, but political correctness is death and it made Trump president. Please stop, you are not doing it right.
I thought eastern Europe loves Trump though.
Go to Poland and be gay and you will be murded on street!
I’ve been living here for 23 years and Im still alive. Most people don’t give a damn, many people are dicks, some people are cool with it. But if you’re visitor, noone would ever do anything to you. Visitors are saints here
I am
Well, I guess many here would second this statement…
Perhaps you might like to back up your point with some provable examples? In you world, did Bilal win this year’s contest?
No but another gay guy did. And yet another came 2nd.
Duncan is not gay, and in any case, their sexuality is completely incidental to their performances.
Well he is certainly LGBT. On the second point you are right, of course, so we can only speculate to what extent the “gay vote” contributed to their placing. Both songs were great, so the outcome would have been probably the same.
And the guy from Montenegro didn’t even qualify in 2017. Yes. Gay votes are huge in Eurovision based on your reasoning.
Well you cannot expect any act, howewer horrible, to achieve a good placing based solely on the vote of a certain group that is biased towards it (just as e.g. Russia does not qualify all the time, but certainly gets better placing owing to the neighbourly support)
Oh yes, and it was because they were gay… Homophobia, right here!
Blial is great example actually. He’s not even a singer but he won national election due to televote. Just read outrage from posts saying about it. Even people from France were saying they’re ashamed. You need more than LGBT topic to win ESC but LGBT alone gave him not terrible position on grand final. He beat profesional singers with this
Do you have any evidence or conrete exemple where an openly gay singer was better treated than a straight one? Of course, not. So the argument that you are making is the typical vitimization of straight people.
Can I just say that I’m so saddened by these hateful comments on this article? You can’t call yourself a Eurovision fan if you don’t celebrate diversity. Or are these just children who don’t know any better yet?
gay or not, blue or red, oranges or apples. i dont really care as long as its not Online voting or 100% televoting. But when i was at my only live ESC. There were only men in the audience and where are the women or the familys? its a family show. But i felt it was like Grinder.
Exactly – I was grilled by my wife (and for a good reason) “where the hell have we come!?”
I’m sorry you and your poor wife were frightened by the big bad gays. That must have been a terrifying experience for you.
They were not particularly big or bad, there were just – well – gays only.
Now imagine what it might feel like to be the only gay boy in your class at school, or at work, on the sports team, or in any other amount of scenarios. This feeling you experienced is something gay people are very familiar with, having experienced it to varying degrees all through their lives.
I quite understand that point, but please note that it is not at all the topic of this article. We here are just arguing whether the ESC has become “too gay” or not – and we have to agree that it’s “quite gay”. I went there in 2008 for the music, while many other people came to hook up and/or be seen waving rainbow flags. I even got hit on – not that it is a problem in itself, but it shows that the music is the last thing on the minds of much of the audience. I went to… Read more »
The behavior of the audience off-screen isn’t the point of the article either. What you describe has no bearing at all on the viewers at home, the primary audience. The fundamentals of the contest remain unchanged. The Euroclub most certainly has nothing to do with why Hungary have abandoned ship. Yes, I would concur the contest is “quite gay” in places, but for a lot of people any amount of gay is “too gay”.
I agree, but the behavior of the audience on-screen (and many of the hosts) is quite sufficient for any TV spectator to judge for themselves. Remember that Dutch spokesperson hitting on Sakis Rouvas – that was nauseating! Imagine a male spokesperson hit on a female host (or vice versa) in the same way. Another thing – showing off your LGBT side gives you a better starting position as if you belonged to e.g. a country with huge diaspora or a major voting block. While Conchita may still have won without a beard (which I doubt, but it is possible, he/she… Read more »
Paul de Leeuw is a comedian, he was trying to be funny. He was a happily married man at the time, and still is, I believe. I agree it didn’t work, but it was an attempt at humour – in any case, I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make by referencing an obscure incident from thirteen years ago. I don’t have to imagine a same-sex version, because in 1996, host Ingvild Bryn made sexualized jokes about the Cyprus representative, Constantinos – did this nauseate you in the same way? How about Eric Saade’s comments about Petra Mede in… Read more »
I meant “different-sex” version…
Well if THAT was an attempt at humour, he should have practiced more. You accuse me of referencing an “obscure incident from 13 years ago”, and then you reference an even more obscure incident from 23 years ago? No, I don’t remember anything nauseating from 1996 (and I’ve been following the contest since 1988), it probably was in better taste and far less memorable. About Eric Saade’s comments about Petra Mede in 2013 – I couldn’t remember that either. I googled it now so I know what you refer to, these two seconds were indeed pathetic. It is probably for… Read more »
That happens ALL THE TIME!
Sounds like you and your wife have some learning to do.
Again, a fine example of homophobia. Being afraid of being around gay people.
How do you know what Grindr is like, darling? Don’t tell on yourself.
Anybody who trusts what The Guardian writes needs their head examining. They are serial muck-spreaders.
I prefer to wait for some proof.
What media outlets do you trust, Kosey?
Not that one. Check out the character of the CEO – tells you all you need to know about that organisation.
Now hate me, but I think the problem may be that the contest was not originally gay at all (which is perfectly understandable, having in mind the general phobia towards the LGBT community in practically all countries in the earlier days of ESC). This fortunately is no longer the case (with some countries being quicker to accept it than others), but still there may be a feeling among much of the audience (especially the ones who remember the earlier editions) that their beloved music contest has been turned into an annual LGBT promoting event with some music in the background.… Read more »
haha people are really crazy here. I said i dont like the voting in JESC because Poland have a larger voting audience then all the others combined together 2 years in a row that EBU have released and ofc they win then. HALLO! And i dont like that ESC is a gay propaganda show. Its only about the music and competion for me. The propaganda that we all have to be gay i can do without. And people here call me a rasist and a stupid swede haha. 2 arguments that makes no sense haha. Gay people in here have… Read more »
Propaganda that we all have to be gay? Rasmus, you’ve lost what little credibility you had.
Why did Israel only show gay men in the audience then if its not propaganda? So you lost your credibilty to me. PS im gay but im not bias like the others. Im just tired of the gay probaganda that scares all others away from visiting it live. You know im 100% RIGHT.
I’ve never thought id agree with Rasmus
Superhero was the most contemporary and catchy song of the contest, and it would have won no matter which country sent it.
And I like the idea of online voting, even if it means the country with the highest viewership winning the whole thing. The idea is to ‘please as many people as possible’ with the winning song. If the Poles make up the majority of viewers, it’s only logical to please them and give them the win, especially when they have such a great song. Democracy, that is.
Poland & Hungary are Biggest homophobic countries
No one likes gays
I hope wiwibloggs won’t cover A Dal 2020
I hope they will. A dal is great. Lots of musical diversity, and many «outside the box» songs. Even if not being in ESC, it is worth reading about I think
Typical tabloid stuff. So much fuss about nothing. I think they withdraw because they did not qualify – like in 2009/2010. Hopefully back next year. So many great entries and NFs. welcome back in 2021 – lots of fans will miss you in 2020! I have read enough to prove that
Thank you. I don’t support our government at all, however, no one ever said we are withdrawing because of the LGBTQ representation in the contest. Like, literally NO ONE. It could be possible for sure but take it from a Hungarian: as a society, we are quite sore losers when it comes to competitions… if Joci qualifies this year, our participation in 2020 would not have been a question at all but you would never see Hungary trying to reach the final but failing miserably year by year (so kudos to The Netherlands and Portugal). Anyway, Eurovision fans and media… Read more »
The majority of countries that participate in Eurovision are liberal and tolerant democratic nations that allow for all kinds of expression and orientations. If it happens that the artists, audience or tv presenters are gay and they want to express it, then that is there right to do so. And yes, some broadcasters even choose to celebrate the differences. Big shout out to Sweden (see, how I like Sweden…) and admitedly Israel. If Hungary is not happy with that, as a self-proclaimed iliberal democracy, then I think they did the right thing to leave. And so should all that cannot… Read more »
What about all the straight fans and viewers then? It is for everyone .no groups have special ownership
This the typical modern homophobic argument… Straight people are in majority, you moron. There is plenty of celecbration of heteosexual, love, sexuality and companionship in the majority of songs, jokes, and tv hosts texts in the ESC. And that is a good thing. Only because LGBTQI is present in ESC that doesn’t mean that straight people are excluded. This is a typical apratheid mentality that should be combatted all the time.
At once you start call people who friendly correct you morons, and start to talk about apartheid (!), you have lost the discussion. I am not homophobic either. Maybe you are heterophobic rather? Such people exsist
Because your comment made me angry. How dare you to say that it was friendly??? I think it was offensive to all LGTBIQ people. And yes I am phobic of people like you that think only because there is little presence of gay-friendly content in the contest that means that all the straight people are excluded. What about centuries of exlcusion of gay people in all forms of social life? To tell you the truth, I was being nice to you.
You need more practice in being nice.
And people need to practice to be less stupid
And I also think you are wrong when you say that we who think esc is «too gay» lacks knowledge about the contest. I am sure I takk for many people here. I don’t mean to be bigheaded. But I have won lots of quizes about eSC. I have lots of national finals and all ESCs. Many books about it. Of course I have knowledge. And I Also know – it is not a gay thing
You may know all the facts. Good for you. But you obviously fail to see what lies beyond them.
If it’s not a gay thing, what the fck are you complaining about then? You really can’t handle some gay people in the audience or the occasional in-joke? Wise up.
@MusicIstheKey – believe it or not, you cannot read… I never said that ESC was a “gay thing”. I said it was gay-friendly, as many interpreters, composers and, yes, fans (they existed back then even in the sixties) were gay. Also, it’s not me that have put this focus on sexual orientation. It’s all the straight fans that can’t handle one or two gay-friendly jokes or the occasional same-sex harmless kiss. I am not defending that ESC is or should be a gay-thing. I am defending that everybody should be free to express their feelings. If these feelings are towards… Read more »
Guitar – so true!
Some of the comments here prove the point. Esc is too gay these days. Why not focus on the music? I miss the old days, when people did not think you were gay just because you loved esc
Aw, people think you’re gay? That must be very hard for you.
i have friends who love esc that are gay and are not gay. i like them all equal. The gay one think its weird to make out in the audience in Israel to. he said its only attention seekers and who does that. so my gay friend thinks that so.then you have to hate him to.
Too much drama for nothing. Or maybe they’re seeking for some attention?
That was with Lithuania in 2014 ….
It’s sad how many idiotic morons read and post on this site.
Like you then . People happen to think differently
Thanks for the advice, MusicIstheKey! I’ll be sure to give it the serious consideration it deserves.
Those who say it’s to gay or to pride should define what it is that makes it to gay, to gay that people turns it of. Is it the simple wawing of the pride flag? Or the artists themselves? Fact is nothing to gay, that’s just definition. ESC has always been huge with LGBT community and that’s that . It’s been the one place that allowed them to be themselves where others tried to diminsih them. And in some cases are still diminshing it.. If you in 2020 still get offended over people in drag or women kissing then the… Read more »
There is a big difference between having a gay presence in the contest and acknowledging it, and going out of one’s way to actively make it be known through things such as cringy, repetitive and distasteful jokes made by hosts etc. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it is ‘too gay’, but if there are signs that lead people to believe otherwise, that raises a point in itself. A person’s sexuality is nothing more than who someone likes, yet gays love to throw it around when it comes to something like Eurovision. Stop trying to claim things as… Read more »
But Whats so wrong about acknowledging it? Should we jpretend they don’t exist just because you don’t like seeing them? LGBT are the biggest fangroup, thst should be acknowledged. You dont see LGBT complain about something being to straight…
Denis, you are so right! It’s so nice to see some rational and fair-minded comments as well as the homophobic twits, who I fear will never learn. Gay people are a fact of life.
Did you read my comment properly? When did I say we shouldn’t pretend it shouldn’t exist? All I pointed out was the difference between acknowledging it and consciously using as a trope.
Also this BS argument of ‘straightness’ – being straight is the status quo. LGBTs shouldn’t be complaining about things being ‘too straight’ (which is a stupid thing to say, imo) but instead focus on coexisting and representation alongside straightness. Wtf people, you all complain ‘no politics!1!’ but the conversation on sexuality is inherently political
Straight men like to show around that they like women, as well. Or when female hosts make a joke with a male shirtless dancer. Is that cringy too? So jokes with heterosexual connotations are ok. But with gay connotations are cringy. Well there is a word for it: homophobia. You might just admit it.
This is one of the very rare occasion when I fully agree with you, when you show the nice side of being Swedish.
I honestly get sick of the ‘gay’ label ESC is given, because what the hell does that even mean? It is a contest that just so happens to have a substantial gay following, nothing more, nothing less. No need to go around slapping a sexuality on a freaking song contest, I do not watch the contest because I am bisexual, I watch the contest and just so happen to be bisexual. For a community that just wants to be accepted, some of us really do go out of our way to ‘claim’ things as ‘gay’ or whatever, and it does… Read more »
But it’s all right to slap straight sexuality all the time in ESC… Again, pure homophobia.
Stop calling anyone who have good arguments homophobic
Then they should maybe leace the homophobic arguments. Why don’t you admit it that you are homophobic.
Yes, but celebrating straight love is ok, while gay people can never have this gift. Is that what you are saying? And I doubt very much that you truly have a gay friend.
And then there’s Russia sending a gay performer to ESC twice, well what do you know.
And don’t forget all the bru-ah with 2003 t.A.T.u.
I find it preposterous that the likes of the Guardian and Verhofstadt are using the contest to bash Hungary ( a country that never propagated anything through its entries) based on little more than their own political pre-conceptions and hostility towards its elected government. It is also clear that they themselves see a song contest as a european gay pride which is different than simply being tolerant towards everyone. And yes, a lot of people thought that gayxploitation and pinkwashing went off the charts this year. I do hope that’s not the reason Hungary withdrew and that we will see… Read more »
Should we, as gay people, be silent and hide in the closets? Eurovision has been a safe place to be anyone you want to be. There is already many ”too straight” competitions, like the Olympics. Gay athletes usually stay in the closet, while having a career. Because they don’t want to be seen as different, weird, etc. Gay people are just as normal as straight people. People are people and love is love. We should not be afraid to show and share your love to the world. Let everyone be themselves!
There is no such thing as a competition that is ‘too straight’ – being straight is the status quo, and that’s a fact. Although I am bisexual myself, I hate it when ESC gets given the gay label – it is not a gay competition, it is a competition that happens to have many gay followers and this is reflected in the contest itself, nothing more, nothing less. Everyone complains the contest is too political yet bringing sexuality into the conversation does such a thing. Let the contest be – it has a strong gay presence? Okay! No need to… Read more »
Guitarheart, you’re talking absolute nonsense. Your prejudice shines through. Nobody is arguing that the contest is about sexuality. Nobody.
I think you talk nonsense Jonas
So sexuality is completely absent?!? Take a look at the Polish participation in 2014, just on the top of my head. So, that is ok for you.
Makes sense.
Yeah, it’s hard to point the camera into the audience and (a) miss some random men kissing and (2) find a woman.
I’ve seen others say the same and I think so too, as a gay man myself too
The 2019 edition simply seemed too gay, I don’t know how to explain it
Even the host countries, throughout the past few years, have joked about it (most notably Sweden in both 2013 and 2016)
And yes, having acts like Verka, Bilal, Conchita, Ryan etc. is totally fine, my only complaint is towards the hosts and interval acts
As for Hungary, hopefully that wasn’t the real reason
I’m waiting for the comeback 🙂
I think people are getting annoyed as viewers at home are voting for a message or for someone who is gay and ignore other songs and singers that are actually very good.
Eurovision is a music festival intended for everyone – and while I don’t have anything against promoting tolerance, it’s been turning more and more into a Pride event. I don’t think this is the right direction if they intend to keep all of the audience they have. Whatever the official Hungarian statement on this may be, I have no doubt whatsoever that this was one of the deciding factors in their decision to temporarily withdraw (of course, I don’t think they would have withdrawn with a top 10 placement).
This is ridiculous and homophobic
Yes, indeed against stupid heteros like you.
its a grinder festival now. maybe you like grinder. its okey. but if im in the audience im not there to hook up. sorry
I am always amazed at the level of stupidty you can reach, as pathetically defending your MF was not enough. First of all, I don’t know if it’s grinder or not, because I don’t use those apps. Secondly, even if I would, what would be the problem? How would that offend you? If you are there for the music, (or what you think is music as your taste is horrible) then that is good for you. Other people might be there for other reasons. Everybody has the right to decide for themselves. But you don’t have the right to impose… Read more »
Because s/he makes stupid arguments, just like yourself.
What exactly makes it a Pride event? A couple of rainbow flags in the crowd?
You should take a closer look at the crowd.
the hooking up. and the looking in grinder apps. i have been there so i KNOW. i will never go there again live. it was not nice at all. wish i didnt stand in the crowd. the worst was there. better to be at home
So and straight ones using the app during a football match or in a club that is ok?… This is double standards.
While I wish it wasnt a case for withdrawal (like with my country, Turkey) the contest is too gay and Im saying this as a gay guy myself. It is known as Europe’s gay parade. This year it was especially too much with the hosts as well. Ive cringed a few times while watching it. I’m not opposed to acts like Ireland 2018 but the show is much more about the gender propoganda and it shouldnt be the focus of the host to push agenda on that.
You are right. The propaganda will backfire against lgbt, just like feminists faced the fail of Charlie’s Angels. It’s sad, because things were going right way two decades ago.
I haven’t seen the movie “Charlie’s Angels”, but I wonder to which extend it is “feminist” to have three girls or women being the secret agents etc.? (It’s based on a series in the late 1970s which I really love, so I know the concept). In general: Is it really always a feminist topic “just” because women are leading sth? Should be normal nowadays, shouldn’t it? 🙂
It should. But there is a case that most of those movies portrays straight guys as incapable of doing anything and women superior. Generally most would be better if they toned down. Like Spy from Melissa Mccarthy was brilliant, she was overlooked because she was a women but in the end she did great and it was never a really feminist agenda because most people were idiots in that movie not just men
Charlie’s Angels always should have been a normal movie, and it was, until it became an agenda. Now is just propaganda like female 007 and Marvel super heroes… now heroines.
“The best way to fight sexism and rasism is to act as if they never existed”
This is the only way. Propaganda always creates a reaction. Endless war in vicious circle is what we see now.
@Guitarheart let’s play the violin for the straight people, my god…
a melegek nem nyerhetnek
Again, straight people get all the attention, not gays. This is the typical argument of the ones who want eliminate gay people all together.
My thoughts exactly. I don’t think people are that homophobic. They feel that there is a propaganda going on…kinda trying to expand the gay community everywhere and perhaps convert others too.
What level of gayness would be acceptable to you?
if there was no hooking up in the audience and all stopped kissing all the time and no grinder apps when the artists sing
Again homophobia. It’s allright a straight kiss. But gay kiss should be banned!… I think your MF songs are emptying out any reason from your little brain.
It always seemed sad to me that Hungary never once came close to winning ESC, despite sending some really good songs and performers. There is an issue there that might be practical – if even their best acts don’t get recognised at ESC, then there is no benefit for those acts to take part, since they don’t get the wider exposure that others would get. As for the matter of diversity on television; there would seem to have been no issues with this for many years, so I don’t see why it would become an issue for the broadcaster in… Read more »
I wouldn’t say they’ve never even come close to winning. They got off to a great start in 1994, getting the first three 12s of the night and ending up in 4th place.
Something worth thinking of, seeing some of the comments here, really reflects this saying..
“Homosexuality has been found in 450 species.
Homophobia has been found in only One.”
We humans really are narrow minded creatures…
Hungaryvision incoming, promoting values of the traditional families.
-.-
What is the difference between Azerbaijan and Hungary? Both are homophobic, but Azerbaijan is desperate to promote itself at any cost, even desperate to host again for money and high profile, while Hungary is more like “I’m Britney, b i t c h !”
Go âway!
All the Eastern European countries (from Balkans to former Soviet Republics) are extremely homophobic. They are just part of Eurovision to promote themselves. But I am pretty sure if Eurovision continues to be “too gay” as said in Hungary, we’ll start lose those countries one by one because the interest is already going down there every year. A lot of people refuse to watch the show for obvious reasons.
Turkey never said they’re against LGBT too but we all know that’s partly the reason why they left.
I dont underand why its wrong to not like seeing men kissing 10 times in a SONG contest? i dont get why that have to do wiht the songs that men are hooking up in the audience. Its just stupid. I dont get why they dont hook up at the hotel before.
OK, Rasmus. Now you’re just a troll. Done sticking up for you. Take your Poland-bashing and Swedish fanboying and mosey on out of here.
Then go there for hooking up then. i dont get your opinions. ps Youknow Poland won 2 times because there voting audience is 7 million and the others are really low. dont you see anything that is the truth? You seem to not see anything others see
Please take your swedish patheticness racism and leave this website.
how can you be rasist if you dont like the voting sistem in JESC haha?
YES exactly. Rasmus is horrible!!!
YES!!!!
Rasmus, answer this question honestly… If it was a man and a woman that were kissing in the audience, would you still be this perturbed?
What does that have to do with the songs? its not about hooking up with anyone
You haven’t answered the question, Rasmus…
Don’t worry – they’re hooking up in the hotel beforehand too
A journalist using fake facts to make a sensationalist article?
Hey that sounds like Wiwibloggs!
To be fair, it wasn’t Wiwibloggs who broke the story on the supposed true “reason” behind Hungary’s withdrawal. UK news sites like the Daily Mail and The Independent first reported it.
The timing (first non-qualification in a long while), the lack of a convincing explanation for the withdraw, the fact they kept A Dal (which indicates it’s not a financial issue or taking a time to reevaluate their selection methodes), the ultraconservative agenda of the government, everything naturally leads to this sort of speculation. And this kind of reaction of the Secretary of State only makes me believe the speculations are right. Hope it’s not the case and we have Hungary back soon.
the withdrawal can be explained pretty easily, without need for ´´speculation´´
There is no viewer demand, Eurovision ratings have gone down sharply over the years and the contest has a bad name in the country. Why would the Hungarian broadcaster pay so much money for something which the vast majority of people do not want?
Not to even mention that Eurovision costs a lot more than just A dal. in fact A dal is pretty cheap compared to most of the process. If the broadcaster had to reallocate funds in any way its a no-brainer that Eurovision would be cut.
Had the broadcaster listed the reasons you mentioned as an explanation to withdraw? I’m not being ironic, I’m asking it honestly, because I haven’t read any article pointing that. If they say “we’re leaving because ratings are dropping here”, more people would be inclined to believe. Get my point? Lack of transparency naturally opens to speculation. And speculation goes both ways. Yes, organizing A Dal is probably much cheaper than covering all Eurovision costs. But if people aren’t that interested in Eurovision, are they in A Dal? I looked for the ratings and the national final hadn’t done much different… Read more »
It can be a reason, of course. While it also can be the perfect excuse to leave without declaring the real reason. If that’s the motivation to withdraw, why not to declare it with a statement? That was for example what Portugal did in 2016. I’m not trying to convince anybody that the speculations are right, I’m just saying that there are reasons to speculate and believing on them, giving the lack of transparency.
Parts right, parts wrong. The LGBT-con argument might be true, but they might discuss reformatting A Dal for next ESC use and it will take some time to do so. Personally I’ll let them take their time.
Many Eastern European countries are very homophobic and also racist. So wouldn’t surprise me.
The ignorance, the hypocrisy…
As a Lithuanian I agree
Even if its not true: Its to gay , In israel the presenter only talked about Miki without a shirt and there were only guys in the audience and was showingthem kissing several times. Isnt that TO gay? ESC is not a hook up contest to me. Then can people hate me here I don care. Its to gay. It was not like this in the early 2000s. Far worse now.
There’s no such thing as “too” gay.
so men kissing in a SONG contest IN the audience isnt to gay for you? haha ok. In pride its one thing but here NO. Its nothing to with the songs.
Thank you for illustrating hoe pathetic you are. Now I start to understand you love and devotion for MF…
Then quit seeing it alltogether. You will not be missed
What might happen, is, that the A Dal 2020 edition will be a bust because the competitors actually do want to use ESC as their opportunity to gain more viewers.
So I doubt that it’ll be that good, that they pulled out
Also, Eurovision is not a gay show but it’s definitely gay-friendly and open to diversity. That’s a good thing, everyone is included. Sometimes it gets over the top with some fans and gimmick interval acts from host countries but just because Conchita won, it doesn\t mean it’s a gay show. She had a great song and voice.
Eurovision used to be a gay-friendly show and open to diversity. In the last few years I think we can freely call it a gay show.
i refuse to believe when at the same time you have Russia, Belarus, Poland, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia taking part…
‘Gay’ is a term that refers to a human (male or female) sexually attrated by another same-sex human … Then, how could something non-human, abstract like the ESC be gay ? That’s just stupid.
If MTVA didn’t want to participate to the ESC 2020, it is its matter. We can’t change it. It will just miss the best musical festival ever.
The level of the minister’s attack proves that this is right… straight from the Trump/Johnson/Putin playbook.
Also I’m shocked how homophobic some esc fans are… why be a fan of something which has such a strong connection and such a connotation to the LGBT community if you hate them???
Because Eurovision isnt supposed to be a pride festival? Its supposed to be a music festival where you get to discover music from other cultures? Im shocked at how frequently people of the LGBT community pull out the homophobe card when they feel like a victim
I’m not LGBT, if I was I think my girlfriend would be very shocked. I’m just sick of people like you who follow a contest that has strong links to LGBT but decide to complain and hate on them. Just accept people for who they are, LGBT identity is strongly linked to Eurovision and has been for years, go fan something else if you’re against it
Downvote all you want you know I’m right
THANK YOU!!!!
How does the presence of gay people stop it from being a music festival, or stop you from discovering music from other cultures? Spoiler : it doesn’t!
Maybe because gay people have been killed and tortured for centuries and still struggle in many countries, like in Hungary?…
oh phlease, as if Turkey ever admit it that they left because they are not european oriented anymore. Hungary left because of her far right goverment. Period.
Turkey actually admitted after Conchita winning that the reason for the withdrawal was the contest being too “open”.
As if we didn’t knew already.
Also, horrified at the amount of homophobic tweets supporting the prospect of a government being so intolerant to a music competition just because it has a lot of following from the LGBT community. Disgusting.
Hungarian homphobia is probably just a coincidence and not the actual reason
there’s countries that are still in the show that are more homophobic than hungary
i’m betting this withdrawl won’t last long and we will see them back soon
Countries that would say such things are only using the gays as scapegoats for their withdrawal from Eurovision. Plenty of people are suspicious of these countries’ real reasons and people are not stupid about it.
While I believe it could be true, the government is undoubted homophobic and “traditional and we have seen what they think about that, I also think that Hungary wanted to leave a long time ago but waited for a non-qualification to justify that. So that it wouldnt be as obvious..
GOOD RIDDANCE !!!!!!
I’m inclined to believe that homophobia is indeed the reason. The government are undeniably homophobic, this we know. They have a very strong influence on the public broadcaster. Last year, a Budapest production of the musical Billy Elliot was cancelled after some right-wing cretin claimed it would turn children gay…this is the kind of force at play in Hungary, so is anybody surprised?
I am 100 % straight but I love the fans (straight and LGBT) …..that makes it more colorful. The only performance that was too much gay for me in our contest was Slavko Kalezic (Montenegro) in 2017, but hey – during his performance with his fake ponytail I had my toilet break …..and everything was good.
Complaining about something being “too much gay” and characterising LGBT fans as “colourful” is basic homophobia
How would you put it instead?
@ Fatima – maybe you just misunderstood me. I have nothing against the LGBTQ community. It is (and it should be) okay and normal for all of us, that men love men and women love women. We are no longer living in the Stone Age. What I just do not like, if one puts his inclinations so in the foreground in public. It is so “in your face” ….”look, I am gay and such a sweet dude” ….if you know what I want to say. I have a close friend who is also gay – but he behaves like any… Read more »
The “Tuntenhaft” Germans can fck off. People can be as gay as they like, if you don’t like it, that’s your problem. Deal with it.