American singer Brandon Howard, who was supposed to take part in the Intervision song contest organised by Russia, refused to take part three days before the contest. Howard said he would not be able to fly to Moscow due to family circumstances.
But the United States will be represented by singer Vassy, according to the Intervision website. She is a native of Australia and comes from a family of Greek immigrants. The contest website says that she” is actively involved in socially significant initiatives “and in particular “is an official representative of the organisation Green IT, advocating the introduction of environmentally responsible technologies and sustainable practices”.
The so-called “international LGBT movement”, which in fact legally does not exist, is recognised as an extremist organisation in Russia, and positive references to same-sex relationships are de facto banned, they threaten administrative and even criminal prosecution.
Russia, which cannot participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, is organising this year’s Intervision contest, in a direct reference to the tradition of contests held during Soviet times involving friendly and vassal countries. Representatives of 23 countries are expected to participate in the contest. Among them, only the United States is included in Russia’s list of unfriendly states. The others are countries of the post-Soviet space, Asia, Africa and Latin America.