One of the most discussed events of the world this month is an annual song contest called Eurovision. The contest is held every year in one of the cities of the motherland of the last year’s winner. This year the event was received by the capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen. The singers from all around Europe arrived to participate in two semifinals and then the contest grand final.
The total number of artists representing their countries at the contest was thirty-one this year. The event is quite big and popular in most of the European countries; the winner gains high ratings, fame and becomes a European star. Such fame does not last for too long, normally it fades away after several months. Yet, the excitement about the contest and the energy of it are amazing.
As it always happens, a big event like Eurovision is surrounded by multiple scandals and gossips, the singers are accused of plagiarism, bribing, frauds and other illegal practices. Every winner is both loved and hated by the publicity. This year was not an exception.
The reason for most Eurovision scandals in 2014 was the fact that the winner of the contest happened to be Conchita Wurst representing Austria. In reality, Conchita is an alter ego of a male singer Tom Neuwirth. The most outstanding feature of the singer is the appearance.
When Tom performed as Conchita, he was wearing beautiful gowns, had perfect long black hair, romantic makeup with applied lashes and looked like an amazing pop diva. The only feature of Tom the beautiful Conchita had was his thick black masculine beard. In Austria, this contradictory artist represents tolerance and freedom of expression; Conchita is the symbol of acceptance.
When Conchita was declared the winner, a wave of contradictory emotions began in society. The internet became filled with hate speeches about the contest and its policy. There were opinions that Eurovision was no longer a song contest, and the only thing required for the winning was bringing a person everyone would feel obliged to show tolerance to.
Countries with lower levels of tolerance describe this victory as a result of reverse discrimination when the majority is being overlooked because of the single member of the minority group. The attitude towards homosexuals and same-sex relationships is varied across Europe. Half of the countries are tolerant and accepting, while in the other half such relationships and individuals receive no recognition.
The old-fashioned ideas dominating in the masses are determined by homophobia based on the thought that acceptance of same-sex marriages and civil unions will lead to sexual harassment in the society. This is why the majority of people belonging to such cultures and sharing these views call the “bearded lady’s” victory nothing more but an affirmative action towards the gay and transgender community.
Such moods are determined by the fact that people’s interactions with the representatives of the gay community are minimal or non-existent. The lack of knowledge and information makes people triggered by old-fashioned myths and legends, which cause fears and distorted perceptions of certain social groups.
It is hard to say if the citizens of Europe are under pressure of the laws of politically correct behavior. It is also impossible to identify what exactly was the true reason of Conchita’s victory – her talent or public tolerance. After all, the judgments about the artist’s performance and her song are the questions of individual taste and musical preferences.