Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst performed in front of the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, as part of a campaign to fight discrimination and support equal rights across the EU.
Wurst gave an hour-long concert attended by a pleased crowd, who stood under the heavy Belgian rain cheering the bearded artist.
Seen as a symbol for the LGBT groups, the Austrian singer said she wants to spread a message of “tolerance and respect”.
“Not everyone is shown respect, and this is why today I am going to use this opportunity to recall the past from which we have come and to show how important it is to live respect,” Wurst said.
Wurst was invited by a group of MEPs from different political parties and led by Austrian Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek, the first openly lesbian politician in the parliament.
Lunacek said that Wurst “has an important political message” to spread across the continent.
“Conchita Wurst has a very important political message, that doesn't have anything to do with parties or regular work in the party. It has to do with what the EU stands for: Equal rights, fundamental rights, the right to live your life without fear, for LGBT and other minorities,” said Lunacek.
The Austrian diva became a sensation around Europe after she won the Eurovision singing contest in Denmark earlier in May with the song “Raise like a Phoenix”.