LGBT performers to boycott Eurovision in Israel with online broadcast

Apr 24 2019
Written by Patrick Kelleher

Queer pop artist Bashar Musrad, who will be participating in Globalvision (Courtesy of Globalvision)

A number of artists—including LGBT+ and drag performers—will be boycotting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with an alternative online broadcast.

The broadcast, which is called Globalvision, will air online at the same time as the Eurovision final in Tel Aviv as a part of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

A number of groups—including LGBT+ groups from across Europe—have urged Eurovision fans to boycott this year’s contest over the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

LGBT+ artists will be taking part in Globalvision

Artists performing as a part of Globalvision include queer Palestinian pop artist Bashar Murad, Palestinian drag performer Elias Wakeem and London-based drag performer Ray Filar.

Globalvision will broadcast performances from live shows from a number of countries as well as music videos.

Organisers behind the event said they will be targeting the 2.2 million people expected to stream Eurovision online.

“Globalvision is a once in a lifetime online broadcast, combining live streams from gigs on the night of Eurovision 2019 with music videos and messages from artists around the world.”

– Globalvision organisers

They said Globalvision will be a night of “inclusion and diversity” as the broadcast goes live to gigs in Dublin, Haifa, London and Bethlehem.

“Globalvision is a once in a lifetime online broadcast, combining live streams from gigs on the night of Eurovision 2019 with music videos and messages from artists around the world,” the group said.

“The idea was dreamt up by professionals working in the theatre, music and film industries, and has been given life by Palestinian artists and organisers, and their international and Israeli allies.

“We’re united in standing by the right of all refugees to return, and the right to self-determination and freedom for all.”

Comments (0)

MyPinkNews members are invited to comment on articles to discuss the content we publish, or debate issues more generally. Please familiarise yourself with our community guidelines to ensure that our community remains a safe and inclusive space for all.