The Russian politician who inspired a controversial anti-gay law has found a new source of gay propaganda: the Eurovision song contest.

St Petersburg legislator Vitaly Milonov – who sponsored a local law against homosexual propaganda in 2011 that helped pave the way for a similar federal law last year – has written a letter to Russia's Eurovision selection committee asking it not to send Russian musicians to the 2014 competition in Copenhagen in May.

Calling the event a "Europe-wide gay parade," Milonov argued that Russian performers' participation would "contradict the path of cultural and moral renewal that Russia stands on today". In a tweet, the lawmaker called for a full boycott of the "Sodom show".

"Even just broadcasting the competition in Russia could insult millions of Russians," Milonov said in the letter, according to a statement from his press service.

"The participation of the obvious transvestite and hermaphrodite Conchita Wurst on the same stage as Russian singers on live television is blatant propaganda of homosexuality and spiritual decay."

Singer Thomas Neuwirth will represent Austria at Eurovision this year in his drag persona of Conchita Wurst. Milonov later tweeted that "completely boycotting" the show was not necessary, but said the "pervert from Austria" should be excluded.

Eurovision – taking place this year from 6-10 May – has long drawn Milonov's ire. He has previously called for his country to hold its own "Russiavision" showcasing "traditional values" – a term that President Vladimir Putin has also used to paint Russia as a bastion against western spiritual decline.

Milonov criticised Russia's state-owned Channel One last May for broadcasting the 2013 Eurovision contest, which he called "degradation in the style of Hollande", in reference to the French president, François Hollande, who had just signed a law legalising gay marriage.

The MP has also frequently attacked international performers, most recently seeking to ban Ukraine's most popular band, Okean Elzy, from Russia for supporting the Euromaidan protests that ousted its president, Viktor Yanukovych.

In 2012, he filed a complaint that Lady Gaga had violated the St Petersburg law against promoting homosexuality among minors when she called for respect for gay rights during her concert in the city. He also filed a complaint arguing that Lady Gaga and Madonna – who had called for gay people to be treated with dignity at a St Petersburg concert – had violated visa rules during their Russian tours.