Kazakhstan KAZAKHSTAN 2024 - not taking part

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[Iker]

They won't join adult ESC next year either I bet.

 

[HarryUK]

It's big within the community sure and meant alot to it and vice versa, but it's still not an "LGB+T Festival" and even as a gay person myself I am not jumping onboard on that.

Anyways, strictly in terms of legislation (at least what I could find out on a quick research), Kazakhstan is actually less restrictive when it comes to gay rights than Armenia and Azerbaijan, and quite en par with Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Poland and Italy (to name a few, where the latter two basically have some cosmetical laws only due to EU membership), so if that's your criteria, I guess we should start to kick out countries then? But then again it is NOT an "LGB+T Festival" and whether one likes it or not, gay rights in countries have not been a criteria for entering Eurovision hence why ruZZia and belaruZ took part until recently and EBU still being keen on Turkey coming back (all three being more legislative restrictive than Kazakhstan) (plus the countries I already mentioned).

I fundamentally disagree; I don’t want to see more anti LGBT countries enter the contest - besides a lot of the countries you’ve listed are taking progressive steps - Ukraine hosted its first pride last year. I’m not in favour of kicking out those countries because it’s more hassle than it’s worth; however it’s easier to decline admission to new countries to the contest on those grounds.

 

[pjelacki]

I love to see a wide range of cultures and languages represented on the Eurovision stage, including Kazakh music. That's honestly where my interest in Eurovision is coming from. I couldn't care so much less about ESC being constantly taken as platform for various LGBTQ+ identities. (saying this as a non-hetero man myself btw)

As for the topic, isn't it impossible for Kazakhstan to enter ESC until they disentangle their phone network from russia's? Then I guess as long Muscovy is banned it might not matter.

 

[Andromache]

No thank you.

Equality for same sex couples or stay well away from an LGBT inclusive festival of love and light

I mean I agree with you but the reality is we have many countries that are homophobic. Almost every country in the east tbh. I agree with you though. It's problematic. I still remember when Russia hosted Eurovision. That was a mess. I don't want Eurovision to turn into something like Fifa where they talk about human rights all the time but then host the thing in Quatar and defend the decision with the most stupid arguments. And that was terrible for gay rights. On Social Media there were many homophobic comments and some went mega viral. It would obviously change the contest when we start bringing homophobic countries in. That being said from what I've heard Kazakhstan is not that bad and even a bit progressive (or more progressive than the other countries in that region). I think they would be fine. Not any different from having for example Poland or North Macedonia in the contest.

Eurovision does love to use the gay community and promote themselves as a progressive show on social media. Well then I hope they really support our rights. I'm tired of the people in the west just supporting gay rights on the paper. Stop with this nonsense. Either you support our rights or you don't. And I also have 0 respect for other gay people who act edgy and ignore the issues. Homophobia is on the rise again everywhere including in many western countries. Just look what is currently happening in the USA and what is going to happen when the Republicans win. This isn't 2010 anymore. Our rights are clearly under attack. Sorry for OT.

 

[A-lister]

I fundamentally disagree; I don’t want to see more anti LGBT countries enter the contest - besides a lot of the countries you’ve listed are taking progressive steps - Ukraine hosted its first pride last year. I’m not in favour of kicking out those countries because it’s more hassle than it’s worth; however it’s easier to decline admission to new countries to the contest on those grounds.

There's nothing to fundamentally disagree with, I just stated facts and not my personal emotions/feelings. Gay rights isn't a criteria to enter Eurovision, never has been, and its not a "LGB+T Festival" regardless of how big it is with the community.

Now, you can of course have whatever reason for not wanting a country to be in, but let's just look at the reality. My main issue with people not wanting Kazakhstan is that they are not consistent, we either let countries play by the same rules or not.

 

[MopManMoss]

No thank you.

Equality for same sex couples or stay well away from an LGBT inclusive festival of love and light

Girl you have a serbian flag on your profile

 

[HarryUK]

Girl you have a serbian flag on your profile

Girl I love Sanja

 

[Gabe]

It's over.

https://twitter.com/esc_gabe/status/1666060314863861763

 

[gigi_copp3]

It's over.

https://twitter.com/esc_gabe/status/1666060314863861763

Or maybe they're saving funds for ESC 2024...
Nah, I'm joking, I think it's definitely over

 

[Mainshow]

It's quite shocking to see Kazakhstan withdraw from JESC since they seem to be quite successful and eager to participate (and they got asked to continue participating for a few years now).

First, Kazakhstan didn't broadcast ESC (after RuZZia rightfully got kicked out) and now they just withdrew from JESC.
I think that we won't be seeing Kazakhstan in any Eurovision-related events for some years now.

It was fun while it lasted. A pity we have never seen this country's music scene enriching Eurovision

 

[MopManMoss]

I wont be shedding a tear, anyone that claims to be progressive shouldnt want Kazakhstan anywhere near the contest. We need less authoritarian backwards states in Eurovision not more

 

[hijirio]

I think Kazakhstan pulled out because this year the French broadcaster rescheduled JESC starting time to 18 or 20:00 CET or something, it would be logically and ethically questionable to air a children's show at midnight local time, or force a kid to perform when it's such a late hour for their biological time.

I think this decision will not impact their enthusiasm for the adult ESC.

 

[Verjamem]

I wont be shedding a tear, anyone that claims to be progressive shouldnt want Kazakhstan anywhere near the contest. We need less authoritarian backwards states in Eurovision not more

Is Eurovision celebration of music and diversity or democracy? Why EBU should reject authoritarian state, while they don't intervene when one broadcaster rig their own NF?

 

[Chalphon]

Is Eurovision celebration of music and diversity or democracy? Why EBU should reject authoritarian state, while they don't intervene when one broadcaster rig their own NF?

There are no requirements to even have a NF, countries can decide what song to send in what ever fashion they want really. The EBU doesn't have rules and regulations to govern that.

That being said. I think it's great if people in authoritarian states gets exposed to ESC as long as the EBU keep the rule that they can't edit anything out. Also, just because a state is being governed authoritarian doen't necessary mean that the people of said country want it that way or agree with their governments stand points. As I recall it, Sergey Lazarev for instance spent his time in Eurovision performing in Gay clubs and promoting equality. LGBTQ+ people are everywhere, maybe it's even more important to show the ones in countries with poor equality that they are not alone.

 

[Verjamem]

There are no requirements to even have a NF, countries can decide what song to send in what ever fashion they want really. The EBU doesn't have rules and regulations to govern that.

Yes, so why would EBU want to influence state's regime, when they don't really control entries in their own competition?

 

[Chalphon]

Yes, so why would EBU want to influence state's regime, when they don't really control entries in their own competition?

Your first question. Who said they were?

Your second question. Ofc they control it to some extent (read Belarus last attempt) but they don't care how You chose it.

 

[Judas]

Darling if it wasn’t for the LGBT community, Eurovision would cease to exist in today’s ever changing world of TV entertainment. It’s a big gay festival after all, you only have to take a look at the Eurovision Village to recognise that. Naturally though, it can be enjoyed by those from all walks of life… but not those who seek to persecute a minority group simply for wanting to live their true lives.

Kinda ironic but just about 20 years ago, in 2003, Russia wanted a lesbian kiss in the end of the performance, but EBU warned Russia that they would not accept t.A.T.u. kissing on the cameras because it is against the values of a family show. You may use and interpret that information in any way you would like.

 

[HarryUK]

Kinda ironic but just about 20 years ago, in 2003, Russia wanted a lesbian kiss in the end of the performance, but EBU warned Russia that they would not accept t.A.T.u. kissing on the cameras because it is against the values of a family show. You may use and interpret that information in any way you would like.

EBU has changed with the times. Kazakhstan has not.

 

[Judas]

EBU has changed with the times. Kazakhstan has not.

Why not let them break the taboos of public with such events if this means the first step for them, instead of excluding them altogether?

 

[HarryUK]

Why not let them break the taboos of public with such events if this means the first step for them, instead of excluding them altogether?

Breaking taboos would start legislatively. Then we can talk Eurovision.