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

[Colourofspring]

The outrage and comments I have seen about Olly Alexander’s performance is baffling to be honest. So much pearl clutching! Eurovision has always been completely camp and outrageous and yet suddenly he has been portrayed as some kind of disgrace and not representative of the UKs ‘values’ (what the fuck does that mean anyway?)

I like the song, I have seen him perform live at Glastonbury with years and years, he’s good live. Yes he’s openly gay - so what? Surely UK values should be based around tolerance and acceptance and not hysteria because his performance is considered risqué. Would it be considered the same if it was a load of half naked female dancers?

I am heterosexual but not offended by it - it’s just a performance - I hope he wins as he’s a nice guy!

So much pearl clutching!

That was Conchita Wurst in 2014 😀

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

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

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 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.

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

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!

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 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.

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

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

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?

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

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 …

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

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.

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.

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.

Also everyone keeps referencing It’s a Sin am I the only person who saw him in God Help the Girl?

I have spent a few minutes googling euro visions and OA and British values. The only thing I can find suggesting OA is going against British values is actually this thread.

It appears that there’s been some Problems in rehearsal, a small amount of people thing he should boycott due to Israel’s having a singer in. A smaller amount of people are annoyed he doesn’t like the UK flag. And some people don’t like the simulated sex/sexual assault in a dirty toilet as the performance. Which is definitely an ok opinion to have. I wouldn’t want to see a female singer acting out being assaulted on a TV show that’s meant to be for families.

There’s nothing about him not representing British values, anything that suggests people are angry that a gay man is representing the Uk at Eurovision, not thing that suggests the country is moving backwards when it comes to equal rights for gay people.

its seems op has just assumed anyone whose opinion isnt 100% positive must be a bigot and be clutching their pearls. Rather than the truth, which is some people have slightly differing opinions. No. Of which seem to be based in Homophobia.

Why are you trying to make this a gay issue ?

Are you saying all gay men act like Olly ?

Like Olly as an actor but hes not a great singer.

Now the great George Michael done a great "so i got caught cottaging" song and very tasteful video.

I was more surprised that such an established singer was so out of tune! He was vocally by far the worst singer. I thought the depiction of gay men writhing around in a dirty public toilet was pretty stereotypical and grubby.

Exactly.

I just watched the performance and unless a lot of the raunchy stuff was edited out by the choice of shots, I don’t think it is particularly extreme.

He does an amazing live performance though. You can clearly hear the melody and lyrics - even though he is dancing. I think its impressive.