LGBTQ+ Performers in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023
May 10, 2023The Eurovision Song Contest is renowned for being camp, extravagant and accepting of all identities, so it's little wonder that the LGBTQ+ community have held it dear to their hearts for many decades. With queer representation dating all the way back to the 1960s, the competition has always had a place for progressive values and promoting diversity and inclusion.
This year’s contest in Liverpool is no exception, with multiple LGBTQ+ performers representing their country in the hopes of being crowned the 2023 winner. Here are the openly LGBTQ+ artists performing at the Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom this year.
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Alessandra (Norway)
Alessandra Mele, known simply by her stage name Alessandra, is a bisexual Norwegian-Italian singer. She is representing Norway in this year’s competition with the electropop anthem Queen of Kings. Alessandra revealed that the song's lyrics are about empowering women, and that her experiences as a bisexual woman influenced the song’s creation.
Listen to Queen of Kings by Alessandra now!
Luke Black (Serbia)
Representing Serbia this year is singer and songwriter Luke Black. Openly gay, the artist has expressed his immense excitement at being involved in the world-famous competition. The song Samo mi se spava, which translates as I Just Want to Sleep, is Black’s contribution to the contest. He revealed that the song is about feelings of isolation and was created as a result of the emotional impact of the 2020 lockdown. He also described the song as a call for people to wake up to the evil that surrounds them and defeat it.
Listen to Samo mi se spava by Luke Black here!
Gustaph (Belgium)
Singer and vocal coach Gustaph is representing Belgium in the 2023 competition with the club anthem Because of You. Described by Gustaph himself as a celebration of being yourself and finding freedom, the song is very topical for LGBTQ+ listeners and is intended as a call for self-confidence and open identity. Gustaph's performance in the competition features vogue dancer PussCee West, providing further prominent LGBTQ+ representation in the show.
Listen to Because of You by Gustaph below!
Loreen (Sweden)
Bisexual singer and songwriter Loreen represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. Eleven years after her chart-topping hit Euphoria, she’s back in the competition with the electropop song Tattoo. Loreen is known for her human rights activisim in Sweden, and firm support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Listen to Sweden’s entry, Tattoo by Loreen now!
Bonus: Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Making a surprise return 36 years after their last gig is renowned queer 80s band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Formed in Liverpool in 1980, the band have made a comeback especially in celebration of their home county hosting the global competition.
With hit songs like Relax and The Power of Love still played on radios and in clubs to this day, it’s no surprise that thousands of fans were delighted to see them announce their return. They're not part of the competition, but are welcome and adored guest stars to the musical celebration.
So far, Alessandra (Norway), Luke Black (Serbia) and Loreen (Sweden) have qualified in the first round of semi-finals, earning their place in the Grand Final. Tune into the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, 13 May to find out if any of these entries are crowned this year's winner!
Read the full list of those qualified to enter the competition finale here.
Read related articles here:
The Great Escape: The Best of LGBTQ+ Up and Coming Talent
Eurovision 2021: Where Are the Top 10 Now?
BBC Announce Stars of New Gay Dating Show
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