Eurovision LGBTQ pause segment sparks criticism in Norway and Sweden

A pause clip featuring LGBTQ themes aired during Thursday’s Eurovision semi‑final and prompted strong backlash. In Sweden, newspaper Aftonbladet reported commentator Torbjörn Ek saying the segment treated gay people "as if they were animals in cages," describing it as "tone‑deaf."

Norway’s public broadcaster NRK also condemned the clip, stating it "doesn't work" and raising concerns about how queer representation was handled in the broadcast.