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Updated 19.55
VICTORY FOR AUSTRIA’s bearded drag artist Conchita Wurst at the Eurovision Song Contest prompted an outpouring of anti-gay anger from Russian politicians and stars this morning.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin wrote on Twitter that the Eurovision result “showed supporters of European integration their European future: a bearded girl.”
“There’s no limit to our outrage. It’s the end of Europe. It has turned wild. They don’t have men and women any more. They have ‘it’,” nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky told Rossiya-1 state television.
“Fifty years ago the Soviet army occupied Austria. We made a mistake in freeing Austria. We should have stayed,” added the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, known for his outrageous statements.
Russia’s entry, the Tolmachevy Sisters, came seventh. There was loud booing from the crowd in Copenhagen last night every time the country was awarded a high score.
Russia gave Austria five points — one more than it awarded Ukraine as the ex-Soviet neighbours are locked in a deadly crisis.
‘Propoganda’
Russia last year adopted a controversial law banning the “propaganda” of homosexuality to minors, prompting condemnation from Western leaders and rights activists. Russia has also banned adoption of Russian children by foreign gay couples.
Popular hip-hop star Timati wrote on his Instagram account that Wurst’s victory was the result of a “mental illness of contemporary society”.
“I wouldn’t like one fine day to have to explain to my child why two guys are kissing or a woman is walking round with a dyed beard and that’s supposed to be normal,” he said.
But Ukrainian drag act Verka Serduchka, who came second at Eurovision in 2007, strongly backed Wurst.
“To be honest, at the start it did shock me a bit, but when I saw it, I thought: why not? A person wants to express himself,” said Andriy Danilko, who performs as Serduchka.
“We need to be more compassionate. I hate when people are bullied,” Danilko told Rossiya-1 television.
She is kind. Don’t be mean to her. She is an eccentric. An eccentric with a beard.
Flamboyant pop star Filipp Kirkorov, producer of Russia’s Eurovision entry this year, even suggested Wurst’s victory should make Russians reconsider homophobic views.
“Maybe this is a kind of protest against some of our views in Russia. Maybe we should have a think. Maybe we shouldn’t have such a categorical attitude to people of different sexual orientations,” he told Rossiya-1 television.
“In a way it probably is a challenge from Europe to us, but let’s respect the winner. People don’t judge a winner,” Kirkorov said.
© – AFP 2014. Additional reporting, Daragh Brophy.
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It’s on my driver’s license so yes, but this notion of next of kin having to approve is ridiculous. I have given my consent by stating it on my license, so now my kin can go against my wishes?
@David Guiney: that’s if the person has never mentioned it to that person. I’ve informed friends and family so they no my thoughts and family and friends have told me too
@David Guiney: Ultimately, your next of kin will get to make that final decision & can ignore your wishes. I have decided to leave my body to the RCSI, I filled in the forms in my thirties, but again, my family will get to decided to go along with my wishes or not. My kitchen window overlooks the college of surgeons, so I told the hubster, if I drop dead suddenly – to just run across the road & grab a gurney lol. Unfortunately if there needs to be a post mortem, they won’t take my body. . I had brain surgery twenty four years ago, & while VR is used now to train surgeons, it’s not as good as using a cadaver, so it’s a way for me to give back.
No but due to a medical condition I can’t donate. Likewise with blood. Otherwise I would.
@Sean Ryan: I’m in a similar position, if I thought any of my organs could help anyone else they’d be welcome to them. As long as I’m dead first.
I presume we’re all playing the game of “let’s guess if the comments section is open or not”.
Yes, it’s on my drivers license. God forbid something happens to me they might as well use whats left to help someone who needs it. Everyone should do it
Each to their own, but I know I was very grateful for the donor who saved a family members life after a number of years of uncertainty.
I don’t always carry my card but my family and friends know my wishes and I have it in writing.
You carry a card and you carry the potential to save a person’s life
I used to carry one, but I’m afraid the various bits and pieces would now only serve as a warning to others…..
We’re trying to have our say but you keep closing the comments.
People should be be more worried about what happens to their spirit than flesh which will be eaten by Worms.
@offside again: Spirits are made up by manipulative charlatans.
Sell them instead. Some money for your family.
Yep have the card since I was 16 & it’s also on my licence. My family know my wishes. Only bit I don’t want to donate are my eyes – that’s just a personal thing. Everything else is up for grabs (well all depending on what dispatches me).
@Susan Walsh: they only take your corneas, not your actual eyeballs. I used to think they scooped your eyeballs out. Amazing what they can do. They can also donate your skin to burn victims to cover the flesh while their own skin grows back.
@Susan Walsh: I am with Susan, the eye thing just freaks me out. And Ruby has freaked me out even more! What I don’t get is the lack of respect for peoples choices, if someone says no or even yes, its nobody else’s business.
Does Braverman mean innocent civilians being killed by an occupying force in the North
You don’t meed a card. It’s also indicated by a code on the driving license.
@no no no: what’s the code like?? Can’t remember if I opted for it or not
I will be forever grateful to my donor. I would have been dead 18 years ago only for her.
Please carry a card. It would help so many people and thank you to those of you who do.
I can’t due to past medical issues sadly
I used to but not any longer.
I read what happened to corpses in universities in France.
No woman should donate her body to science.
There are too many perverts in the world.
No,I used to but I presume zim too old now. Also,my blood eont be accepted gor the same reason. Anyway,I just want to go with what is left of me intact.
I thought organ donation became opt out a few years ago?
No,I used to but I presume zim too old now. Also,my blood eont be accepted gor the same reason. Anyway,I just want to go with what is left of me intact.
Thought they were after introducing a system where by unless you opted out your organs were automatically donated? I’m happy to donate as no good to me when i’m gone!
As a candidate waiting for a liver transplant due to AIH. please have this discussion with your immediate family, rem when in Hosp you or staff may not have access to Donor Card. Maybe the HSE should setup a database where you can register.
Those who can, should. Like many I have hereditary conditions that make my blood and organs unsuitable for donation, but I would if I could
I
have your say