Dutch singer Gordon will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest in Russia if violence is used against gay activists in Moscow. The final of the contest in the Russian capital takes place on 16 May, and the singer will be in it if he can take his vocal trio The Toppers through Thursday's semi-final. The other members of the group - besides Gordon (real name Cor Gordon Heuckeroth) - are Jeroen van der Boom and René Froger.

Russian gay activist groups are seizing the opportunity of the Eurovision final on Saturday to organise a march for gay rights. Public demonstrations in support of gays and lesbians are illegal in Russia and the police often crack down on them with violence. Russian nationalist and religious movements also have a tendency to express themselves violently towards homosexuals.