Every year, the Eurovision Song Contest delivers more than glitter, modulated falsettos, and viral dance breaks. Beneath the sequins lies something deeper: a powerful stage where masculinity can be questioned, stretched, and redefined — often in front of hundreds of millions of viewers. For many men — especially queer men — Eurovision has become a rare cultural moment where it's not only safe to be different, but celebrated for it.

At first glance, the Eurovision Song Contest might seem like little more than sparkle, spectacle, and the occasional key change catastrophe. But beneath the rhinestones lies something far more radical: a global stage where masculinity isn’t just performed — it’s reimagined.

For decades, Eurovision has been a space where men can embrace softness, sensuality, flamboyance, tenderness, and power — often all in the same three-minute set. And whether through a shimmering ball gown or a stripped-down piano ballad, these performers aren't just entertaining. They're teaching us what manhood can be when it’s freed from the box it’s so often shoved into.

Many LGBTQIA+ Catholic groups and individuals have responded to Leo XIV’s election with a mix of hope and concern. Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, expressed optimism following his remarks about God’s unconditional love and the need for the Church to embrace all people. Others, like Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, have called for Pope Leo to build on the groundwork laid by Francis, urging him to “lead the church through that door” of inclusion.