Bandmates from Russia’s Eurovision entry have mocked the LGBT+ community with degrading sexual jokes and calls for a ‘straight pride’ during Belgian Pride Parade in 2017, Lithuanian blogger Geizeris reveals.

Saint-Petersburg based pop-punk band, Little Big, were praised for the music video of their Eurovision entry song, Uno, as it seemed to satirise leader of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov. Yet, recently uncovered vlog footage shows four of the bandmates insulting LGBT+ people and calling Pride Parade’s ‘illogical’.

In the video, one of the main singers, Ilya Prusikin, said, “Why do people who like anal sex between man and man or vaginal sex between woman and woman hold parades? Why aren’t there parades for those who like to insert their willy into female vagina? This is a real violation of my rights as a heterosexual. Make a Pride for vagina-lovers. We would all go.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdTqnVbRFN0&feature=emb_logo

The footage shows four of the bandmates making their way through Brussels while they unleash a barrage of degrading sexual jokes about hiding a tripod from LGBT+ people and saying the streets smell of ‘lube’. Prusikin was also stopped by a Pride-goer for a photo, after which the singer said, “It is very uncomfortable when you get recognised in a parade like this. Next time I am going to tell them that it is not me.”

Speaking to PinkNews, Vilnius city council member Tomas V Raskevičius stated, “Eurovision Song Contest is an important event for many LGBT+ people across Europe, especially in countries with challenging human rights record. We are very sad to see that the Russian representatives do not share the ideas of tolerance and acceptance. Given the disastrous LGBT+ human rights situation in Russia, we want to be sure that people know what ideas Little Big is trying to sell to Europe.”

On social media platforms, European Pride Organisers Associations shared the video of the bandmates with the caption, “A video has emerged showing Russia’s #Eurovision2020 entry Little BIG attending The Belgian Pride and making homophobic, transphobic and biphobic remarks, mocking attendees. Eurovision Song Contest should bar Little Big Band from participation.”

A video has emerged showing Russia's #Eurovision2020 entry @LITTLEBIG_BAND attending @TheBelgianPride and making homophobic, transphobic and biphobic remarks, mocking attendees. @Eurovision should bar Little Big Band from participation. https://t.co/snPkplKnoG

— EPOA • EuroPride (@EuroPride) March 17, 2020

Amid growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus, Eurovision 2020 has still not decided on whether or not to go ahead with the competition on May 12. They released the following statement, “We know you are anxiously waiting news about the future of this year’s Eurovision song contest. With a constantly changing situation regarding coronavirus and a large number of people to consult,  every important element needs to be taken into consideration. Please bear with us. We hope to have more information shortly.”

An update about the #Eurovision Song Contest 2020. pic.twitter.com/z2eWk6Bp3g

— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) March 17, 2020

In light of the recently surfaced footage showing homophobic insults, it is unclear whether Russia’s Eurovision entry will be going forward in the competition if it has not been postponed.

Little Big have not commented on the language and actions shown in the video.