Wurst wants world where you don’t have to discuss sexuality
By Nick Levine
Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst has said she hopes her victory at this year’s Song Contest could help lead the way to a more inclusive and tolerant Europe.
The bearded drag queen, real name Tom Neuwirth, became a symbol for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest even before she clinched victory for Austria by a 52-point margin in last night (May 10) – especially after a Russian politician had branded the contest a “Europe-wide gay parade” and a “Sodom show”.
Speaking at a press conference after her victory in Copenhagen last night, Wurst told reporters: “This Eurovision family is a family I always wanted to join, because it’s a project that is based on tolerance. So it felt like coming home. But I also hope that people outside the Eurovision world will support me.”
Later in the conference, she was asked how it felt to win Eurovision 16 years after Dana International, a transsexual singer from Israel, clinched victory.
“I really dream of a world where you don’t have to talk about your sexuality, where you are from,” Wurst said. “Tonight we really showed that we are all part of the same family, not of separate communities. I know it sounds cheesy but: we are one!”
At the time of writing, Conchita Wurst’s winning Eurovision song Rise Like a Phoenix is at number 17 on the UK iTunes chart and climbing.
> Austria’s Conchita Wurst wins Eurovision Song Contest
> Conchita Wurst: ‘People should accept diversity’