Conchita Wurst to perform for the United Nations next week
Eurovision drag artist Conchita Wurst will perform for the United Nations, it has been announced.
The Austrian diva – who took home the crown at Eurovision this year despite a homophobic backlash across Europe – performed a set in early October at the European Parliament in Brussels, as part of a non-discrimination event.
Not to be outdone, the United Nations has announced that Wurst will perform at the UN Headquarters in Vienna on Monday, in front of the UN’s head, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
A spokesperson for Ban Ki-Moon said he was looking forward to meeting the “cultural icon”, adding: “Everyone is entitled to enjoy the same basic rights and live a life of worth and dignity without discrimination.
“This fundamental principle is embedded in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“Conchita is a symbol in that sense and I think it’s good for them to meet.
“[The meeting allows us] to reassert his support for LGBT people and for them to ensure that they enjoy the same human rights and protection that we all do.”
Following Wurst’s victory, Russia developed plans to revive a Soviet era Eurovision rival as a ‘family friendly’ alternative, but the idea was quietly dropped this summer.
The performance will take place at the UN Headquarters on Monday, November 3.
