U.K. Eurovision entry! A lot of pearl clutching

They include tolerance and mutual respect

some people might find it disrespectful to have half naked bodies thrust upon them when they’ve tuned in to watch a song contest.

respect works both ways.

It has always been camp. Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz was very camp.
If you mean not openly gat performers, that is true. But thankfully times have moved on.

I saw some of the semi finals. I turned it off as a lot of it looked sleazy, not just Olly Alexander.
Nothing to do with homophobia, it's just got tacky in general and not what I'd want kids to watch.

Oh God that was a nightmare.. 😂 I still remember my dd’s face!

It was a few yrs ago now, but would be interested to know if there was all this pearl clutching and references to ‘shoving it in kids’ faces’ when Poland had their milkmaid dances suggestively churning butter …

I’m fed up of everyone having a go at him for being himself. I actually like him

A load of gay men writhing around in a dirty toilet block - that's the UK's entry? We really are trolling Eurovision aren't we!!!

What's the plan for next year? Non binary dogging?

There is such a thing as British values (we teach them in school)
They include tolerance and mutual respect.
Therefore our Eurovision entry sits firmly within those values

It is not representative of society - heterosexuals are the vast majority.

I don't think the pearl-clutching is necessarily rooted in homophobia- I'm a lesbian and I found it overly sexual. Then again I don't watch Eurovision, so no idea if it's par for the course or not.

YABU for

(1) using the term "pearl clutching" (3x). Based on your speculation about what attitudes are driving it, it's not the (genuine) pearl-wearering classes who are likely to harbor these. But also - are there no (cis-het) men complaining, all women?

(2) using the term "hysteria" incorrectly

(3) responding "yeah whatever" when criticized for your misogynistic language

(4) not linking the video you say people are dissing

(5) not linking or specifying where to find any examples of this alleged "pearl clutching" - which no one else seems to have seen.

You're welcome.

I love a bit of camp and Eurovision is a great place for it. Viewers love the OTT and bitshittery of the event. Literally no harm done at all.

I do think our song is shit, unfortunately.

Team Ireland, for me!

Crown the Witch!

I've not seen all this "pearl clutching" either - probably says more about the OP's social media habits than actual reality.

Lucky for you, you haven't missed it. It's on tonight at 8:00.

The "pearl clutching" in some sections has become part of it. See also the MET Gala.💃

I totally agree with you OP. It is definitely homophobia at play in a lot of the resistance to Olly Alexander’s performance. Many women perform “raunchy” set pieces. Whilst I accept that there is sometimes disapproval, it rarely gets to this level. It’s because, in my view, Olly Alexander, is both openly gay and sexually actively. We are (just about) ok in the Uk with older gay theatrical or creative types, but it’s a different story when it comes to young gay men. It’s really quite depressing.

There has been rehearsals for days (I live close by), but it’s on tonight. The town is packed with demonstrators and snipers on the roof, so we’ll be glad when it’s over this year. It’s become too political.

I went off Olly for a bit when he went solo but enjoyed his earlier stuff with Years and Years and his work on Its A Sin.

i actually do like the performance and I’m warming to the song the last few weeks.

it’s Eurovision. I dunno why anyone is surprised

I assumed because there was a post it had happened. It's not marked in red on my calendar...

That was Conchita Wurst in 2014 😀

How did you miss it, it hasn’t been on yet..

I missed Eurovision this year, but one year wasn't there a guy in a dress with a beard?

I haven't heard anyone pearl clutching. Is this the Tory press by any chance?

It’s not really “as sexual as possible”. It’s some guys doing some groin thrusts - which is more silly than anything.

Ive definitely seen much more sexual routines but somehow when women are sexualised that’s ok?

I went to a Eurovision semi-final in 2014. Conchita (Wurst, not whatsisname @Sharptonguedwoman - as you either knew or could have found out with a very quick google) almost blew the roof off, and we were standing near one of the Polish performers, who was being incredibly suggestive. My pearls remained unclutched, it was entertainment.

Eurovision has always had this suggestive side, and to whatever extent, has reflected values/trends of the day. I didn’t much like Olly Alexander’s performance, but mainly because I found the weird angles and odd bits of crawling across the ceiling very distracting. That and the song being very run of the mill.

It probably has always been camp but started off unintentionally so.

It’s meant to be just a laugh really - of course many of the songs are crap but it’s not meant to be taken that seriously!

Olly Alexander openly said he wants his performance to be as gay as possible. It's not as gay as possibly, it's as sexual as possible. I don't care if it's two men, two women, man and woman the dancing just isn't appropriate for a younger audience who in the past have enjoyed eurovision