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Euro exit over Moscow Pride ban
Gordon and the Toppers may quit Eurovision
This year's Dutch Eurovision act may quit over Moscow's anti gay stance
Singer Gordon of the Toppers has said that if violence is used against demonstrators on May 16 – the date of both Moscow Pride and the Eurovision Song Contest Finals which is being held in the Russian capital – then he will withdraw from the contest in protest.
As previously reported by Pride Life, the Mayor of Moscow has banned a Pride Parade in the city, claiming that Pride events destroy the moral foundations of Russian society.
Gay rights activists are still planning to hold the parade. Similar parades have been met with violence from homophobic protesters in the past, with the police doing nothing to stop the attacks.
Gordon told NOS radio: “If people of my kind are being discriminated against in such a way I have nothing to expect from this Russia and I will be on the first plane home.”
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest is on Saturday, 16 May. If Gordon is to make his planned protest then he will have to qualify in the semi-finals on 14 May.
