Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest cultural maneuver marks a significant shift in global music competitions. In a move that underscores his increasingly aggressive stance against LGBTQ+ rights, the Kremlin has announced the revival of Intervision—an alternative to Eurovision that will serve as a platform for “traditional values.” With participation from China, Cuba, and other allied states, Moscow’s version of the famed song contest aims to erase the queer voices that have long thrived on Eurovision’s stage.
Since Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision in 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has sought ways to counter what it perceives as Western decadence. The Intervision contest, first established during the Cold War as a socialist response to Eurovision, will return with stringent content restrictions. “Artists may not perform songs that humiliate society or promote political themes,” reads a leaked government document. In Putin’s vision, this means silencing voices that challenge conservative norms, especially those of the LGBTQ+ community. Over the years, Eurovision has become a haven for queer expression, with iconic winners like Conchita Wurst and openly LGBTQ+ participants shaping the competition’s legacy. Russia’s new contest seeks to undo that legacy entirely.
In Russia, where anti-LGBTQ+ laws have tightened dramatically, Intervision represents more than just a music competition—it’s a cultural weapon. The state has branded the international LGBTQ+ movement as “extremist,” banning pride symbols and criminalizing any form of queer advocacy. The return of Intervision signals a further retreat from diversity and artistic freedom, creating a stage where LGBTQ+ identities are neither celebrated nor even acknowledged. Meanwhile, countries participating in this event align themselves with Russia’s authoritarian ideology, reinforcing a global divide between those who support LGBTQ+ rights and those who systematically erase them.
The erasure of LGBTQ+ representation in Russia’s cultural exports extends beyond Intervision. From the tightening grip on Russian media to the suppression of queer activism, Putin’s government continues to solidify its commitment to so-called “traditional values.” While Eurovision remains a vibrant platform of inclusivity, Intervision stands as a stark reminder of a world where diversity is suppressed under the guise of morality. As the contest approaches, the message is clear: in Putin’s Russia, LGBTQ+ voices will not be heard.