So, just how gay is Eurovision?

So, just how gay is Eurovision?

A new study from global LGBT marketing agency Out Now has researched the percentage of the gay community that tunes in to watch Eurovision in 19 countries around the world.

According to the report, the competition’s most ardent gay supporters hail from Ireland – where 24 percent of gays and lesbians watch the event.

That result is not that surprising given Ireland’s track record of Eurovision success, but past glory doesn’t always equate to gay interest.

For example, research shows that gays in Japan are more than twice as likely to watch the high camp extravaganza than gay people from five-time winner France.

Australia’s LGBT community has also taken Eurovision to heart – with 14 percent watching the show. That might account for the high number of Eurovision parties and screenings we’re seeing advertised in the gay hubs around the country.

“There have long been inferences that gays and lesbians share an affinity with the camp pastiche that is the Eurovision Song Contest,” said Out Now CEO Ian Johnson in a press release.

“We now know to what extent local gay and lesbian communities feel an affinity with Eurovision,” he continued.

“Interestingly, some countries not traditionally connected to Eurovision – such as Japan and Australia – have LGBT communities that are ardent supporters of this event.”

This year’s Eurovision contest will be held in the German city of Düsseldorf.

Check out the research results below:

The percentage of the total LGBT community that tunes into Eurovision

Argentina 3%
Australia 14%
Austria 21%
Brazil 3%
Canada 4%
Chile 1%
Germany 19%
Ecuador 4%
Eire – Ireland 24%
España – Spain 15%
France 5%
Japan 12%
Mexico 4%
Netherlands 13%
Peru 5%
Poland 12%
UK 21%
USA 2%
Uruguay 5%

Watch one of our favourite Eurovision performances by Ukrainian drag sensation Verka Serduchka. For the record – she came second in 2007.

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