Eurovision bans Chinese TV station after it censors LGBT act

Le Grand-Saconnex [Switzerland], May 12 (ANI): Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest, the riotously camp transcontinental music competition, banned a Chinese TV station from broadcasting Saturday's final.

The move comes after it censored an LGBT themed performance.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) organises the contest and distributes it to broadcasters around the world. It said, it had taken the action after Mango TV cut two acts in the first semifinal, broadcast on Tuesday, as reported by the CNN.

China's Global Times, a Chinese tabloid, on Friday said the two acts Ireland and Albania fell foul of Chinese censors as they featured an LGBT theme and tattoos.

The EBU, in return, barred Mango TV from broadcasting Thursday's second semifinal and the final, which involves acts from 26 countries.

This year it is being held in Lisbon, Portugal.

A statement from the EBU said, "This is not in line with the EBU's values of universality and inclusivity and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music," as quoted by CNN.

The Irish entry, Together, sung by Ryan O'Shaughnessy, is a love song about a relationship between two men. It features two male dancers. Albania's act involved performers with tattoos.

A rainbow flag in the crowd, representing the LGBT community, was also blurred during the broadcast.

Guidelines released in China in 2016 characterized homosexuality as an "abnormal sexual behavior" which is unfit for Chinese television.

Both Ireland and Albania have qualified for Saturday's grand final. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI