Diva Fever Lever
Sunday 24th May, 1998
Adapted from a posting to the UKPFC-News mailing list
We are, by now, a bit sensitive to the amount of "Diva Fever" we’ve been carrying on UKPFC-News, since Dana International carried out that rather useful poll of 100 million television viewers just three weeks ago, and guaranteed herself (and us) publicity for months to come.
Since then, however, it has been announced (19th May) that the Israeli singer has been signed by Sony Music UK .. and it appears that she’ll also be making a star appearance on next Saturday’s (May 30th) National Lottery TV programme on BBC 1 .. just ahead of the launch of an English language version of the song that projected her into the world headlines. (The UK version will launch on June 8th).
"People judged the song and my performance, not my sexuality and I am glad for it," she said. "Now I want Europe to get to know me. This [disco] is not actually my type of music. Now Europe will hear what Dana is really like. We chose this song for the Eurovision Song Contest, but we have so many more good songs."
With an extensive repertoire of different musical styles, in various languages, the singer is undoubtedly a good signing for Sony, and presumably means that we’ll be treated to an album (or two) before too long as well. Meanwhile the singer carries on demonstrating a considerable talent for picking her words like a political professional.
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| AP/Photo/Eli Dasa |
She told Israel TV, "This just goes to show the world is open-minded and liberated. We are all equal."
In another interview, she said, "I did it for us to live freely in this world without hate. I want us to live in one world. We don’t need borders. We need to be free from hate, otherwise we will vanish."
On behalf of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain, Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Romain said, "Dana International’s sexuality is totally irrelevent to her ability to sing well or perform on behalf of her country, just as anybody else’s sexuality should have no bearing on their professional life unless it interferes with their work. Disturbed by the trans-phobia among his co-religionists, Romain said they should seek to understand the misery trans people experience and to appreciate the surgical procedures that relieve it.
Responding to her religious opponents in an interview with Britain’s Press Association, Dana said, "I forgive everyone. My victory has proved that God is with me. I want to send them a message of forgiveness and say to them, ’try to accept me, and try to understand my kind of life, and my kind of choice.’ What I am does not mean I do not believe in God, and that I am not really part of the Jewish people." She told another interview asking about her opponents, "Listen, they are not exactly my audience."
Supporters: Yair Qedar, editor of the gay Jerusalem monthly "Hazman Havarod," said, "This has raised our spirits to new heights. It is the best thing to happen to the gay community here in 50 years. Dana got where she got without forgetting where she came from."
To those who suggested that Dana won because of being transsexual, Qedar said, "Dana did not win BECAUSE of who she is, but DESPITE who she is."
Quotations in this news item are extracted from a much longer article by News Planet, the news service of the Planet Out web site, where you can read the full original story
