Credits
Written by
Published
Source(s)
News
Support for gay rights activists
Malena Ernman is gay today
Earlier today, Malena Ernman, who is representing Sweden in tonight's Eurovision song Contest sent a strong message of solidarity to the campaigners.This morning, she posted a mesage on her blog to support the rights of gay and lesbian citizens in Moscow, taking a brave step, she has made the following statement:
"Regarding the planned gay parade here in Moscow today I think it’s very sad that they won’t allow a tribute to love. I’m not homosexual but today I am happy and proud to call myself gay - to support my friends and fans."
Sweden's gay community has been at the forefront of promoting the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. The Schalger Pride Eurovision Song Contest party has been a permanent fixture on the Thursday night of Stockholm's Gay Pride celebrations every year, and attracts a large number of intrnational Eurovision fans to the event.
Russia sent 'lesbian' girlband tATu to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 believing that their international status would win the competition. They also allowed the duo to perform at the Opening Ceremony and Eurovision Song Contest first semi final.
The news is now making headlines across the world and is the BBC website's second most viewed story today on their website already. You can read about the story at the BBC website here.
esctoday.com is a website dedictated to the Eurovision Song Contest, and as such, we ask readers to avoid political reactions below and to be sensitive and tollerant to the rights of all people, regardless of race, gender or sexuality.
Related polls
- Sweden decided: How much do you like This is my life?
- esctoday.com National Final Awards 2010: Best SONG not to qualify in SWEDEN?
- esctoday.com National Final Awards 2010: Best PERFORMANCE not to qualify in SWEDEN?
- Russia decided: How much do you like Lost and forgotten
- esctoday.com National Final Awards 2010: Best SONG not to qualify in RUSSIA?
- esctoday.com National Final Awards 2010: Best PERFORMANCE not to qualify in RUSSIA?
Go directly to the reactions
Reactions
When reacting to a news item, please stick to the topic. Inappropriate messages (swearing, racism, hate, etc.), messages in other languages than English and spam (which includes URL advertising) will be deleted and you risk your account being removed. Reacting on newsitems is only possible when logged in as a member. Still don't have member account?
Click here to react Click here to become a member (free!)
thank you...and shame on you, russia. u give millions of euros for the esc...and you do not know anything about human rights.
Thank you Malena and greetings from Germany 
Thank you, Malena!
guys its a lot of countreys in europe who dont accept gay parades and gays and i dont know why u stick only in Russia, to u thing a gay parade inTurkey, Azerbaijan , Bosnia, Serbia, Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Montenegro and Georgia are acceptable? In that countreys if they see gays to make sex even and in they r own home they r take them to jale ! Russia is only one exable of gay racism in Europe !
i think it is disgusting that the Russian parliment see fit to disband the parade.And with such violence. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Vote Malena ermnan sweden
Wow! Malena! You're awesome!! You reinforce my positive impression about Sweden, Swedish's tolerant, progressive people and society. Thanks Malena!!! Love Sweden! Love the way Sweden treats all people with dignity and respect!!!
When it comes to being gay friendly..
12 points to the Neherlands.
10 points to Sweden
8 points to Belgium
7 points to Iceland
6 points to Denmark
5 points to Spain
4. points to Norway
3 points to Finland
2 points to Germany
1 point to the czech republic
Shame on Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Italy and Portugal.
Damn im so proud to be dutch! im gay and i can do everything here! glad my country was the first where gay people can marry and adopt children en have the same rights as straight people. shame on you russia
Im sorry. My favorites for winn are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece and UK on ESC 2009. But with luck Malena
Feel sorry that The Netherland dind't pass the finale because they will boycott today in accordance to the violence against gay people in moscow today.
We had gay pride today here also in Belgium and It was great
Hope that eurosong will be in a western country(where we respect everybody) next year
Shame on you Russia
in the free Europe,eurovision,has always been,a gay cult.remember we in the have had eurovision,since 1956,not 1999.the contest,has more gay fans than any other fans.in FREE EUROPE,WE DON'T TREAT PEOPLE LIKE ANIMALS.WE RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS.DAM RUSSIA TO HELL,BRING BACK THE COLD WAR,KEEP THEM AWAY FROM FREE EUROPEANS.
With all due respect for the gay people (as for any people), I really think some of them should realize that this contest is not all about them!
In the future,the EBU,should investigate,the human rights standard in winning country,and if its not up to human rights standard then disallow that city from hosting the contest.it's an outrage,dam Russia to hell.they are bigots and htecrime organisers.everyone should refuse to perform tonight in protest,i feel very angry about this.boycott the russian bigots don't perform on stage where hate is allowed.
@Andy
Fully agree!
For all this people who thinks that Malena comments are a tricky coincidance the day of the final, i´m not quite sure.
On the Spanish News has been show this midday a big fight in the streets in Moscow, between Gay Rights People and Russian Police....
Go Malena!!!!
Go Soraya!!!
Go Russian Gays!!!
Not necessarily true, mehmet...
She said that on the day of the finals - what a coincidence!
in europe, all gays will vote for Melena...
it is a cheap way to get pts 
@david lopez
Yes, I did notice the rainbow in Flor de Lis performance; even if I think (though I'm not sure) that it was purely a coincidence, I must say that at the light of these shameful events from Moscow "authorities" and police, that rainbow as a perfect timing!!
Hourray for Malena, Soraya and all those that speak out against these actions undermining the right of LBGT russian people to parade peacefully
What a cyncial way to garner votes on the day of the contest.
I think all artists should wear something like a small ribbon in support of the gay and lesbian community or Russia, maybe a tiny rainbow flag attached to their outfits. That would be enough to spread the message of support throughout Europe tonight.
well if it will be Valetta 09 then gay prides and stuff wont be any problem really 
wake up its 2009 for godness sake... russian should live and let live
If the march is about Russian Homsexuals and transgenders ,then of course it is right and just.If it is a general gay pride march ,then I'm not a fan of those .I agree with you keith about Homosexuals being intolerant within their own sub group,I am one of those intolerant people.At the same time I am also not a fan of Gay Pride marches as they have now lost all meaning and have been taken over by by people who are happy to tell everyone their gay which is not really what the marches were started for.But good on people for speaking out about the Russian states horror of it ,but finally (I know I've written a lot here),tonight is about Eurovision (one of the worst on record I'm afraid).
Good on you Malena for having the guts to speak out.
I don't know if you have my vote, but you have my respect and love ;-)
How nice by Malena
Good luck Sweden 
- even though I won't vote for you this year 
Well done Malena, you´r great. Idon´t like your song a lot but I like you... You aren´t the oly one, Soraya too...
I would like to hear more negatives reactions from other representatives.
The list of 100 reactions is divided into 4 pages. Choose a page:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4
React yourself
This news article is older than one week. Reacting to articles is only possible in the first week after publication.
