A look back at LGBTQ+ moments this Pride Month

01 June 2023 at 09:00 CEST
Gustaph performing Because Of You for Belgium at the Grand Final at Liverpool Arena Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
The Eurovision Song Contest’s values of universality and inclusivity, and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music, were reflected more than ever in both our audience and throughout our shows this year - so to mark the start of Pride Month we’ve put together a selection of LGBTQ+ moments to revisit from this year’s Contest in Liverpool.

Our reigning champion Loreen stated in a recent interview: ‘I love the values of Eurovision. I love the fact that it doesn’t matter what background you have – as long as you come with love and respect, you’re allowed to be there’ - and she’s right! 

In episode 17 of the official Eurovision Song Contest podcast, our double-winner spoke about the LGBTQ+ community, the importance of creativity, and how Conchita Wurst’s Rise Like A Phoenix was a moving moment for her. 

Belgium’s Gustaph caused a commotion this year with his empowerment anthem Because of You. He talked at length about ‘queer joy’ and openness during the press conference after he’d qualified from the Second Semi-Final, telling reporters he still had to battle with the anxiety (‘remember when they told us - you’re not good enough’) explored in his entry. 

He expands on this during the final episode of the official podcast, due for release on Monday 5 June, so head on over and subscribe.

Earlier in the pod’s run, Romania’s Theodor Andrei touches upon the meaning of references in the national final performance of his entry, and in the same episode Serbia’s Luke Black talks about his love of Lara Croft and lobsters and the iconography within.

And, of course, there was plenty of LGBTQ+ representation on stage too this year, with Italy’s Marco Mengoni proudly carrying both the Italian and pride flags during the flag parade, and Gustaph inviting the sensational American ballroom legend PussCee West to perform, vogueing their way throughout Because of You.

In the First Semi-Final audiences were treated to 3 drag artists (Miss Demeanour, Tamara Thomas and Will Peaco) putting our hosts through the ‘Queen Machine’ during the Be Who You Wanna Be medley.

And if you’re looking for more LGBTQ+ performances, bops and bangers, check out our Pride playlist on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel, and remember to 'love yourself a bit harder than yesterday' this Pride Month!

 

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmö, Sweden on Tuesday 7 May (First Semi-Final), Thursday 9 May (Second Semi-Final) and Saturday 11 May (Grand Final) 2024.

Listen to all 37 songs from Liverpool 2023 via your favourite streaming services, and watch the official music videos on our YouTube channel:

Don't forget to sign up to the official Eurovision Song Contest newsletter, subscribe to the official podcast, and follow us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook - to keep entertained and up-to-date.