Transvestite Eurosong win sparks Slovenia accession doubts

Date: 07/03/02

By Martin Banks

THE row over the selection of gay transvestite group Sestre to represent Slovenia in May's Eurovision Song Contest may harm the country's bid to join the EU, an MEP claims.

The victory for Sestre (which means 'Sisters' in English) in the Slovene Eurosong competition has left the country divided.

There have been protests in the capital, Ljubljana, with anti-gay and gay activists taking to the streets, and questions have been asked in the national parliament.

The three men at the centre of the controversy - Miss Marlenna, Daphne and Emperatrizz - performed their song Only Love wearing bright-red air stewardess outfits, high heels and red lipstick.

The selection caused a furore from the outset as the judges overruled a public phone vote and chose Sestre by a tiny majority on points.

After a decision was made not to rerun the contest, despite widespread calls for a repeat, a number of Slovene deputies alerted the European Parliament.

Lousewies van der Laan, a Dutch Liberal MEP and member of the public liberties and civic rights committee, believes the row may hit Slovenia's bid to join the EU.

'I was very shocked to learn that in Slovenia there is again a debate relating to sexual minorities. That the issue of gay rights is coming up confirms to us that, perhaps, Slovenia is not yet ready to join the EU,' she said.

'Gay rights are human rights and all human rights need to be established before a country can join the EU.

'Slovenia's record for accession is one of the best but, particularly on gay and lesbian rights, Slovenia is trailing behind.'

The MEP added: 'The current controversy on the song contest entry, of all things, doesn't exactly promote the image of Slovenia in Europe.

'I feel Slovenia is an excellent candidate for EU membership so affairs like this very regrettable.'

• A recent poll showed that the majority of the (mainly Roman Catholic) Slovenian public want the runner-up in the contest, Karmen Stavec, to represent the country in Eurovision in Estonia.

Sestre polled a mere 18.1 with the runner-up polling 59.9.

The row over the selection of gay transvestite group Sestre to represent Slovenia in the May 2002 Eurovision Song Contest may harm the country's bid to join the EU, an MEP claims.