Chinese TV censored gay Eurovision song

Chinese TV network Manga has reportedly censored Ireland’s entry to the Eurovision song competition. Ryan O’Shaughnessy’s song, ‘Together’, is about a gay couple coming to terms with breaking up. The song featured an accompanying video with dancers Alan McGrath and Kevin O’Dwyer, who played a couple dancing through the streets of Dublin. The dancers reprised their roles in the video for the live performance.

“It was amazing seeing the video come to life in the way it did, sticking with the original concept that love is universal and there are testing moments in every relationship,” O’Shaughnessy told press.

As a result of Manga cutting the song from their broadcast, EBU (European Broadcasting Union) has immediately terminated their contract with the Chinese company. Releasing a statement, they said censorship was “not in line with the EBU’s values of universality and inclusivity and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music.”

O’Shaughnessy praised the decision: “They haven’t taken it lightly, and I think it’s a move in the right direction. I’m happy about it.”