Conchita sings for peace, love and understanding at the EU
Conchita Wurst - © European Union 2014 - Source EP
(BRUSSELS) - Tranvestite Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst won over the crowd Wednesday in front of the normally staid European Parliament, with her message of peace, love and an end to discrimination.
"I really want to reach as many people as possible," the bearded Austrian told a press conference before a short concert, recalling how she had come to terms with her own sexuality.
Immaculate in a white pant suit which set off her trademark jet black facial hair and flowing locks, she said there was still "work to do" to ensure respect for all, regardless of their colour or sexual orientation.
The 25-year-old drag queen, who is also known as Tom Neuwirth, attracted an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred in the rain outside the grey and glass parliament building in central Brussels for a short series of songs.
Wurst was invited by euro-MPs from five different factions as part of a campaign to fight discrimination.
She called on politicians across the 28-nation union to back equality for all, saying that it was love that counted, not sexual orientation.
"I do not understand why there are politicians who are still afraid (of same-sex marriage)... we should be happy and there are people out there who do not want to make everyone happy!"
Wurst won the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen in May, prompting a storm of anti-gay anger summed up by right-wing Russian nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky who said it marked "the end of Europe".
Since then she has played at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender events around Europe and in July closed Jean Paul Gaultier's haute couture show in Paris wearing a black and red vampire-themed gown.