Ali’s Angle: A Man In a Dress

Spangly, sparkly outfits. Crazy dance routines. Bad music. Beards. Lots of beards. Yes, May 10 was Eurovision Day, and did it not spark a lot of controversy? Poland’s buxom girlies lost out to Austria’s bearded lady in what right-wingers have called ‘the collapse of modern Europe’, a show of ‘decadence’ that was ‘ideologically offensive.’ Really? Okay, decadent, but has the Eurovision not always been that? Is social Armageddon upon us because some bloke wears a dress? I do not think so.

I had not seen Eurovision for years, but this time it was a friend’s birthday and he wanted to go to the pub and watch it. So off we went, and I was pleasantly surprised. Far from hours of terrible, cheesy acts (Jedward, anyone?), most of the songs were passable. Some were even fantastic (Pollapönk were my personal favourite. Icelandic punk rock for children? Get in!). From the excited cheers, it seemed people were confident of Poland’s chances. Alas, it was not to be.

Why? Of course it’s all subjective, but compared to many of the other songs, Poland’s entry was pretty weak. Especially against Conchita Wurst who, ignoring what she looks like, has a damn good voice and sang a damn good song. Okay, she used a gimmick to help her stand out: cross-dressing with a beard. According to many people I have spoken to, this was a heinous trick. How dare she win because of a gimmick! But did Donatan and Cleo not use a gimmick? A gimmick which, to be fair, has been done to death in recent years. And what a fine example to set to young girls. Want somebody to notice you but have no or little talent? Just put your tits on display.

wurst

“Gimmick? I don’t know what you could possibly mean.”

Looking ahead, June 14 is the date of the Equality Parade in Warsaw. An event which aims to promote tolerance and diversity, and which has incensed Sebastian Moryń, editor of portal Fronda.pl. ‘Homosexual Attack on Warsaw!’ read his headline. In his view, the parade should be prohibited because the majority of the participants will be scantily-dressed, behaving obscenely and will cause a public scandal. Apparently, he doesn’t want his children seeing this. Dear Mr Moryń, if you do not want your children to see the parade, do not take them to see the parade.

He goes on to say that it is not an Equality Parade, but a Hatred of Christianity Parade, a parade against heterosexuality, which just shows his ignorance really. The gay community parade because they themselves have been discriminated against for years, and in many places still are. They are not against heterosexuality, they want the same rights as heterosexuals.

I suppose my point is this: there is still a lot of prejudice around concerning the LGBT community. This is often supported by arguments such as ‘It is against God’s will’ or ‘It is not Christian’. Yes, Poland is a Christian country, and Catholic doctrine is against same-sex couplings, but Spain is also a predominantly Catholic country, and (apparently) the most LGBT-friendly. I know a lot of Polish Catholics who have no issue with gay people. So does it really have anything to do with religion? I think not.

Moryń describes the parade as ‘frightening.’ Clergyman getting away with molesting children for years: that’s frightening. A police officer selling information to football hooligans: that’s frightening. A bearded lady winning a tacky song contest and some gay people peacefully marching in the name of tolerance? Frightening? A sign of social collapse? Come on, a little perspective, please.

2 thoughts on “Ali’s Angle: A Man In a Dress

  • July 4, 2014 at 6:55 pm
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  • February 27, 2015 at 1:36 am
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    He didn’t criticise all of Poland (he mentioned how there are some gay-friendly people in Poland) as for criticising Islamic countries, many people still do that, doesn’t stop them from criticising others at the same time.

    And as for your ignorant remarks, homosexuality was actually accepted in many different cultures before. Ancient Greeks?? They even had an army made exclusively of gay male lovers, oh and by the way, homosexuality was the norm in manly Sparta. Men were excpected to have sex with their male soldier “brothers in arms” as a way of strenghning their bounds and bringing them closer together.

    Ancient China? Many gay relationships and art documented?

    Japan? Likewise, homosexuality was fairly common, epsecially among the samurai and noblemen.

    Shall I go on? :D

    Reply

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