The winning song, "Toy," by Netta, was a return to the over-the-top, cheesy style that many people associate with the singing competition.
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Germany withdraws ‘homophobic’ Eurovision nomination
Xavier Naidoo will no longer represent Germany in next year’s competition after the public backlash led to a reevaluation of the nomination. “It was certain that he’d polarise, but we were surprised by the forceful reactions. We misjudged this,” German broadcast coordinator said. Read more
Norway: Tooji on Eurovision, sexuality, and why he’s banned from Iran
The name Tooji should be synonymous to keen Eurovision fans with the world’s biggest display of wind machines, costume reveals and key changes. Either for his song, his disappointing final result or his off-screen drama involving 2012 host country Azerbaijan’s controversial human rights record, the Norwegian entrant certainly had an interesting experience.
He explained that in addition to wanting to voice his support for the protests and rights for marginalised communities — an issue that is of great importance and significance for him — he wanted to shine a light on his native Iran’s human rights record. It was something that resulted in Tooji being banned from ever returning to his native land.
Fighting for the rights of women, children and LGBTI people is a cause that comes naturally to Tooji, not only because of personal experiences in Iran with his family, but also because of bullying during his childhood in Norway. “I think it’s just basically being a human. How could I not be interested in standing up for human rights? As a human race we want to be told how to think and we want these boxes to tick and clear lines to follow,” he said. Read More
UN Secretary-General praises Conchita Wurst's gay rights fight
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted the Austrian winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, Conchita Wurst as she sang for hundreds of UN staff, diplomats, and members of civil society.
Speaking at the event the Secretary-General said he knew Wurst was the star of the world when she won the Eurovision Song Contest and turned her victory into an electrifying moment of human rights education. The Secretary-General said: "Conchita is promoting respect for diversity …. She confounds people's preconceived ideas of gender and sexuality - and she appeals to them to accept her as she is. That is a powerful message." Read More