ESC winner Duncan Laurence will not perform in Hungary for the time being
This is a statement that has it all: The 2019 ESC winner Duncan Laurence has decided not to perform in Hungary. The reason is the current anti-LGBTQ situation in the country.
Especially the latest law, which aims to ensure that children do not come into contact with queer content, recently caused a stir. And this is exactly where Duncan comes in when he says that he will no longer tour Hungary for the time being.
The background to the law, by the way, is that by banning the relevant content, the aim is to make children and young people less likely to become queer or think about gender reassignment. Only from the age of 18 should people in Hungary have access to the corresponding media, including relevant educational books.
Duncan is not just about the new legislation - but more
Even though most of the news around Hungary in this country currently refers to the anti-LGBTQ new laws, the singer is obviously concerned with much more than "just" this topic.
In this context, he also draws attention to the violation of human rights in the country.
Last but not least, he concludes that he does not want to perform in places where anti-LGBTQ laws are supported, among other things, and thus makes a clear statement. He also stated in an interview that no one consciously chooses their sexuality.
The singer knows what he's talking about. Because: he is also queer. He has been living with his boyfriend for a long time. The two have also been engaged for some time.
The voices against the Hungarian legislation are getting louder and louder
Duncan Laurence is not the only prominent artist who currently does not hide his opinion about the anti-LGBTQ laws in Hungary. Among others, many public figures have already spoken out against the Hungarian government's anti-trans laws.
However, it is rather rare that it does not just remain with statements, but that direct action is taken. In any case, Duncan Laurence seems to be 100 percent behind his opinion. Accordingly, his fans in Hungary will have to be even more patient.
How does Hungary react to the international accusations?
Whether in politics or in the rest of public life, Hungary is currently facing a lot of headwind.
Currently, however, it does not look (at least not yet) as if anything will change in the anti-LGBTQ attitude of the leading politicians on the ground. They still seem to think that queerness is not part of a "normal" life. It almost seems as if they want to exclude and hide everything that does not correspond to the "cis-rule".
It is highly unlikely that Duncan Laurence's decision will cause those responsible in the country to rethink their position. However, the criticism from abroad is not likely to leave people in Hungary who have not yet dealt with the issue any further unscathed. After all, it is now becoming increasingly clear how hard the rift between a largely tolerant part of Europe and its own queer-hostile policies has become. Sometimes it takes the "little proofs", such as an unusual tour by an artist, to make homophobia a little more visible in everyday life.
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