It’s oh so Queer
Eurovision promises to display easily what is usually more difficult to read: queerness. In what ways then, is it possible to speak of a “queer tradition” with respect to eurovision and how helpful are concepts like “camp” that are generally associated with it in this context? Even though “queering” the event certainly appears tautological would it be, on the other hand, still imaginable that the event looses its queer touch (given that “queer” is such a volatile category)? And how does queerness relate to other political issues discussed in this field, like nationality, eastern and western europe? In this paper I will present a couple of key questions that queer studies have to offer in understanding eurovision.
Dr. Peter Rehberg is editor-in-chief for MÄNNER, a gay monthly magazine in Germany. He holds a Ph.D. in German Studies from New York University and has published on Kafka, Baudelaire, Genet, Fassbinder, Madonna, Porn, and Eurovision. He also wrote two novels.