Valentijn Driessen, one of the stars of today Inside, finds the ban on gay flags at the Eurovision Song Contest ridiculous. “Isn’t that a political statement,” he shouts.
In recent years there have been more and more flags at the Eurovision Song Contest, including the Palestinian flag and the Regenboog flag. Last year the winning singer Nemo took a non-binary flag on stage. But that will not be allowed anymore soon. All flags are prohibited, except the flag of the country itself. The rainbow flag is also taboo.
‘Really ridiculous’
Johan Derksen welcomes this. “I think it is a completely correct decision, because nowadays every event is being abused for protest demonstrations, which is also against. It may be a gay party, but I am not waving everywhere with a heterosexual flag,” he brands at the table at Today Inside.
Valentijn Driessen then shows a completely different sound. “I find it really ridiculous, really true. A gay flag is not a political statement? That’s how it is brought by that ebu.”
Demonstration
Johan thinks so. “Yes, but it’s a demonstration. It’s a demonstration.”
Valentijn: “I think that’s better. Look, the moment you come on with a Palestinian flag and the like or with Hamas flags or things like that …”
Johan: “Yes, but is there one reason to show a gay flag?”
Valentijn: “Those people want to be heard and seen and that is allowed, because it is a gay party.”
Hetero -flag
According to Johan, the gate is off the dam. “Then you get that other parties come up with a heterosexual.”
Valentijn: “That is allowed too. Isn’t that a political statement?”
Johan: “They just want you to wear the country flag.”
Valentine: “They want so much.”
Johan: “It’s a country competition!”
Valentijn: “What does it matter if someone walks with such a flag? It’s a gay party, they all love it.”
Boycott
The Songfestival is not without the gay community, Valentijn emphasizes. “I would say, if you are in the gay community, from: we don’t look anymore and we will drop it off, because like the Avrotros handles it … those are of course also wet sandwiches. They understand it, they turn against it. Then I also think: what is it about?”
Johan: “I absolutely disagree with you. I think it is a very correct decision. Clarity.”
Valentine: “Well …”
Not at home
Wilfred Genee thinks Johan is nonsense. “What exactly is a straight fly?”
Valentijn: “Maybe Johan knows that. I don’t have him at home.”
Johan: “It doesn’t exist, but then you can’t refuse another flag.”
Valentijn: “Do you think it’s a political statement that flag?”
Johan concludes: “It doesn’t matter, it’s a protest against something.”