Music
Eurovision Kiss Cam Brings Down the House With Same-Sex Kisses
The celebration of same-sex couples was a bold move considering the contest airs in places like Russia that are hostile to LGBTQ people.
May 15 2019 6:11 PM EST
CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
We need your help
Your support makes The Advocate's original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Become a member today to help us continue this work.
Your support makes The Advocate's original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Become a member today to help us continue this work.
The international Eurovision Song Contest kicked off this week in Tel Aviv, Israel, and audience members went wild when a kiss cam zeroed in on several same-sex couples during a cover of Bruno Mars's "Just the Way You Are" performed by 1998 Eurovision winner Dana International.
\u201cIn 1998, Dana International won the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Israel.\n\nHer amazing voice and an unbelievable life story changed everything for many around the world.\n\nHer victory helped millions of people to be confident in who they are.\n\n#DareToDream #Eurovision\u201d— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision Song Contest) 1557866595
Eurovision, now more than 60 years old and with more than 50 countries eligible to enter, requires participating countries to submit an original song to be performed on live television and radio.
Votes are then cast to determine a winner. The contest is broadcast primarily in Europe; its airing in places like Russia that are hostile toward LGBTQ people makes the queer kiss cam revolutionary.
In addition to the audience members who cheered as the camera panned to various same-sex couples kissing, social media users praised the inclusivity of the cam.
\u201cRussia had to play those gay kisses on national tv\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u270a\u270a\u270a #Eurovision\u201d— go.wait.in.the.car (@go.wait.in.the.car) 1557866390
\u201cfirst it was a kiss cam showing 2 men, and then one of the presenters talking about his husband.\nRussian authorities are shitting themselves right now XD\n#Eurovision #Eurovision2019\u201d— Masha Misanthrope (@Masha Misanthrope) 1557867662
\u201cAn image of two men sharing a kiss broadcast to millions across the world. Giving hope to people who live in countries where this simple act is a crime.\n\nThat\u2019s the power of #Eurovision and I absolutely love it.\u201d— Liam Beattie (@Liam Beattie) 1557866438
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Bizarre Epstein files reference to Trump, Putin, and oral sex with ‘Bubba’ draws scrutiny in Congress
November 14 2025 4:08 PM
True
Jeffrey Epstein’s brother says the ‘Bubba’ mentioned in Trump oral sex email is not Bill Clinton
November 16 2025 9:15 AM
True
Watch Now: Pride Today
Latest Stories
Japan's ban on marriage equality is constitutional, according to a Tokyo court
November 28 2025 4:59 PM
How a queer fashion show took on New York Fashion Week
November 28 2025 4:58 PM
8 LGBTQ+ films coming in 2026 that we can't wait to see
November 28 2025 12:00 PM
Lavender marriages: What queer unions and relationships can teach us about love and safety
November 27 2025 9:43 PM
How a united message of 'Tax the Rich' could make life more affordable, and win elections
November 27 2025 8:00 AM
Trump administration won't observe World AIDS Day
November 26 2025 5:34 PM
Psychiatrist explains the Kinsey scale to two men and blows their minds
November 26 2025 3:30 PM
Funding cuts could cause 3.3 million additional HIV infections by 2030: report
November 26 2025 11:01 AM
Florida driver arrested and accused of trying to run over LGBTQ+ running group
November 26 2025 10:56 AM
Democrats and rights groups accuse Trump's Justice Department of ignoring hate crimes
November 26 2025 9:45 AM
How the Boy Scouts became a target of the Trump administration's wrath
November 25 2025 6:08 PM
Trump can't have 'Defying Gravity' or 'holding space,' says queer media's Tracy E. Gilchrist
November 25 2025 5:27 PM
Trending stories
Recommended Stories for You
Tracy E. Gilchrist
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP of Editorial and Special Projects at equalpride. A media veteran, she writes about the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP of Editorial and Special Projects at equalpride. A media veteran, she writes about the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes