Eurovision 2014: Russian politician who called Stephen Fry sick brands contest 'Sodom Show'

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

The Russian politician who branded Stephen Fry "sick" has attacked the Eurovision Song Contest, calling it a “Europe-wide gay parade”.

Vitaly Milonov, one of the architects of Russia's recent gay propaganda law, wrote a letter to Russia’s Eurovision selection committee requesting that the country withdraw from the competition.

The St Petersburg legislator argued that participation would “contradict the path of cultural and moral renewal that Russia stands on” and “insult millions of Russians” who might be watching the broadcast.

Milonov went on to call Eurovision the “Sodom Show”, singling out Austria’s cross-dressing “pervert” entry Conchita Wurst.

Wurst has been facing a transphobic backlash online, with protesters in Russia, Armenia and Belarus attacking the contestant's "unnatural" lifestyle.

“The participation of the obvious transvestite and hermaphrodite Conchita Wurst on the same stage as Russian singers on live television is blatant propaganda of homosexuality and spiritual decay,” Milonov said.

Armenian Eurovision favourite Aram MP3 added that Wurst should "eventually decide whether she is a woman or a man" before apologising and claiming his comments were a "joke".

Milonov, a long-time opponent of Eurovision, has previously suggested creating “Russiavision” to showcase the nation’s “traditional values”.

Last year, the politician described the contest as “degradation in the style of Hollande” in a dig at French president Francois Hollande’s legalisation of gay marriage.

He also filed a complaint against Lady Gaga in 2012, claiming she had broken visa rules by calling for gay rights during her St Petersburg concert.

Last August, Milanov called British actor Fry “sick” for attempting to commit suicide, in a BBC Radio 5 Live rant that heard him liken homosexuality to bestiality.

“It is not normal but a person cannot be punished in Russia for being homosexual, or to live with a dog, with a horse, with a sheep, whatever,” he said.

“Homosexuality is one of the sins for us and it means we should not teach our kids that sin is okay.”

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