Ireland's Gay Dance on Eurovision Shows World That 'Love Is Love'

For the first time in five years, Ireland has advanced to the finals of Eurovision Song Contestant -- thanks to a moving gay dance performance.

Ryan O'Shaughnessy, an Irish contestant, sang "Together," a song about a failed relationship, at the semi-finals Tuesday in Lisbon. The crowd went wild when dancers Kevin O'Dwyer and Alan McGrath took to the stage to perform an interpretive dance as this couple.

The performance earned Ireland a place in the finals -- and sparked an outpouring of love on social media. Many were floored that country that voted to pass same-sex marriage in 2015 was now showcasing same-sex love to an international audience. In fact, the dance nearly lands on the country's three-year-anniversary of the historic referendum.

"My only intention was to help people see that love is just love, and there's no difference - whether it's between a man and a woman, a woman and a woman or a man and a man," said O'Shaughnessy, reports Pink News.

Held since 1956, Eurovision is the longest-running international song competition broadcast on television. It frequently showcases queer talent. Past winners include Abba, Celine Dion, and drag performer Conchita Wurst.

The Grand Final of the popular contest will be held Saturday.