Lonely Planet Names Most Gay-Friendly Destinations For LGBT Travelers

Lonely Planet today issued its annual ranking of the top ten most gay-friendly destinations in the world for LGBT tourism. Here's what they say about this year's list-topper, Copenhagen.

Denmark may be the home of Lego and at the forefront of New Nordic Cuisine, but importantly it made history in 1989 by becoming the first nation in the world to recognise registered same-sex partnerships. And at Denmark’s heart is the relaxed beauty of its compact cobblestoned capital, Copenhagen. Copenhagen is home to Europe’s oldest openly gay bar, Centralhjørnet, whose origins date back to the 1950s; as well as the hip and super-cool district of Vesterbro, which also happens to be the city’s red-light district. One of the most tolerant and open communities in Europe, Copenhagen’s functional yet edgy fashion scene, brilliant array of cocktail bars, excellent range of gay-friendly boutique accommodation and packed calendar of queer events make it the gay-friendliest place on Earth.

You may recall that Lonely Planet earned widespread criticism when Uganda topped their 2012 list.

Conchita Wurst WINS Eurovision 2014!!!

Austrian gender-fuck artist Conchita Wurst won Eurovision 2014 tonight after a stunning performance at the finals held in Copenhagen. The audience was clearly on Conchita's side during the vote tally and as each nation reported points for Austria, the screaming was crazy. Conchita Wurst: "This night belongs to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. We are unity and we are unstoppable." What a fantastic FUCK YOU to Russia's homophobes. I think we'll see a new category of sadz tonight.

UPDATE: The clip below shows the final votes being announced. Check out the douchey anti-Conchita comment from Lithuania at 9:45. The host immediately smacked him down. Stick around for Austrian announcer right after that - she's wearing a fake beard in Conchita's honor, as were many in the audience. At 15:30 the announcers declare that Conchita has won as her lead was then insurmountable.

Ten Reasons Why Conchita Should Win

From the International Business Times:

1. It will upset the Russians. Vitaly Milonov, the politician who was behind Russia's strict anti-gay propaganda law, has been reported as saying that "pervert" Wurst would "insult millions of Russians" by taking part in the "Europe-wide gay parade". Russia is expected to suffer in the voting because of its stance on homosexuality and the current crisis in Ukraine. The Ukrainian entry received rousing cheers during the semi-finals, while Russia's Tolmachevy Twins were booed.

2. It will upset homophobes in Eastern Europe. Protesters in Armenia and Belarus have created petitions asking their national broadcasters to edit Conchita out of the live broadcast, though the European Broadcasting Union wouldn't allow that.

3. It would upset Austrian right-wing politicians like Heinz-Christian Strache, FPO leader. During the national selection process he called Conchita "ridiculous" and threw his support behind another entry, Alf Poier, who said Conchita needed psychiatric help. The Austrian media quoted Poier as saying: "If someone doesn't know if they're a man or a woman, they should go to a psychotherapist rather than to the song contest."

Hit the link for the rest. (Via JMG reader Polish Bear)

COPENHAGEN: Austria's Conchita Wurst Advances To Eurovision Final Round

Despite boycott campaigns and anti-gay petitions out of Russia and Belarus, Austrian gender-fuck artist Conchita Wurst tonight advanced to the Eurovision finals in Copenhagen.

With the Second Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest over, the line up for Saturday's Grand Finale is now certain, and will include Austrian singer Conchita Wurst, who has faced a transphobic backlash from some conservative countries. Before the show, Ms Wurst hit back at critics, including Russian politician Vitaly Milonov, who called her a “pervert.” “I can only say ‘Thank you for your attention!’” she told the Associated Press. “If this is only about me and my person, I can live with it. I'm just a singer in a fabulous dress, with great hair and a beard," she added. The reception that Russia will receive at the final is likely to be a concern for the show's organisers, in light of the country's anti-gay laws, as well as its encroachment into Ukrainian territory in recent weeks. Russian twins Anastasia and Maria Tolmachevy were booed during the first semi-final, while Ukraine’s Mariya Yaremchuk was cheered by the crowd.

Besides Austria, also advancing tonight were Switzerland, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Norway, Greece, Malta, Belarus and Finland. Eliminated tonight: Israel, Georgia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, and Ireland. Twenty-six nations will compete in Saturday's finals. The online gambling site Paddy Power is currently ranking Conchita as the favorite at 5/2 odds to win. Sweden's chances are rated at 3/1. Russia's odds are 100/1. Heh.

The first clip below is tonight's performance. In the second clip, Eurovision host Lise Rønne kibitzes with Conchita between acts. (Watch for a fleeting shot of beefy Conchita fanboys in the audience.) In the bottom clip, the audience goes wild as Austria is the last of tonight's finalists to be revealed, prompting the announcer to declare Conchita to be "the queen of Austria." Twitter wags are accusing Eurovision officials of deliberately naming crowd favorite Conchita last in order to heighten the dramatic effect.

Eurovision 2014 Begins Tonight

The first Eurovision semi-finals take place tonight in Copenhagen and Austria is promoting gender-fuck artist Conchita Wurst with the above props. Ten of tonight's 16 nations will advance to the finals. Wurst will compete in the second semi-final round on Thursday, but tonight all eyes will be on the rivalry between Russia and Ukraine.

The Eurovision song contest insists it is strictly nonpolitical, however there is speculation that Russia will face a backlash and fail to qualify in the semi-final round tonight in Copenhagen, due to the country's aggression towards Ukraine and president Putin’s outspoken homophobia. Russia's act, 17-year-old twin sisters Anastasia and Maria Tolmachevy who are former winners of Junior Eurovision, and Ukraine's performer, 21-year-old Maria Yaremchuk, are set to compete virtually back-to-back - with Azerbaijan in between - tonight in the first of the semi-finals.

Below are yesterday's rehearsals from both nations. For those unaware, Eurovision is wildly popular among gay Europeans and every year many travel to the host cities to attend in person.

DENMARK: 10,000 March In Copenhagen In Protest Against Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

Via the Copenhagen Post:

Ten thousand people got an early start on Copenhagen Pride festivities on Tuesday with a demonstration against Russia’s recently passed anti-gay law. Protestors taking part in the ‘To Russia with Love’ demonstration gathered in front of Christiansborg, the house of parliament, and then proceeded to march to the Russian Embassy, where they submitted signatures of people opposing the law. The demonstration’s organisers had hoped 2,000 people would participate, but media reports put the turnout at upwards of 10,000 demonstrators.

(Via Towleroad)

DENMARK: Copenhagen Pride Activists Wear Nooses To Symbolize 78 Nations That Criminalize Homosexuality

Source. Source. (Tipped by JMG reader DeAnne)

Bombing At Copenhagen Outgames

UPDATE: Initial press reports described the explosive devices as "small bombs," but Danish media is merely describing them as "powerful firecrackers."

The World Outgames in Copenhagen were interrupted yesterday when four explosive devices were hurled onto a running track. One athlete suffered an injury to his hand. American competitors Sam Felker and Keith Little write on their blog:

The camaraderie of the Outgames was temporarily broken this afternoon when unknown assailants tossed two explosive devices onto the track during the start of a relay," the men wrote on their blog. "One runner who was in a starting position near the explosions sustained a minor injury to his hand and was treated at the scene by paramedics. The large crowd of athletes and spectators was stunned by what can only be described as a hate crime attack. Competition resumed after consulting with the athletes who were determined not to let this incident succeed in stopping the Outgames. Police were called to the scene and were searching the premises when two more devices exploded on the track. Shortly thereafter the police arrested a suspect who was seen fleeing from a nearby church tower where it is believed the attack was launched. Police are still searching for a second suspect.

On Saturday, two local men were also arrested for the gay-bashings of three visiting athletes in central Copenhagen. All three victims were hospitalized after being kicked and beaten. There are 5000 competitors at this year's Outgames.