Transgender singer Conchita Wurst was invited by the EU VP Ulrike Lunacek (Greens) and three other parties to appear at the EU Parliament in Brussels...in the tradition of past invitations to The Dalai Lama, Pussy Riot, Bob Geldof and Bono.
I'm not a politician, only a singer," said Wurst coquettishly and then launched into a 15-minute speech that traversed European history from the First World War to the Eurovision Contest to finally arrive at her message that tolerance and respect are different for everyone. She breathed heavily into the microphone as she said this and ran her hands through her black wig.
Deutsche Welle
I will give everything I have to support those who want that [tolerance and respect]" Wurst said in a formal press conference in Parliament before the event. "Sex, color and background should no longer play a role.
--Conchita Wurst
Conchita also sang.
That's What I Am
That’s what I am, that’s what I’ll always be
I don’t wanna be silent ’cause this is my destiny
You can’t take your eyes oh-oh-oh-oh-off me
‘Cause I’m different and my mind is free
You would want to lo-oh-oh-oh-ove me
But will that ever be?
Words are hollow when said while you follow
Someone else's rules that are for shallow fools
That’s what I am, that’s what I’ll always be
I don’t wanna be silent ’cause this is my destiny
That’s what I was, that’s what feels good to me
And nothing will change me, that’s what I’m meant to be
Come a little closer, I won’t bite you
Come a little closer, it’s just me
Will you find ano-oh-oh-other point of view?
Can that ever be?
Rise Like a Phoenix
Waking in the rubble
Walking over glass
Neighbors say we’re trouble
Well that time has passed
Peering from the mirror
No, that isn’t me
Stranger getting nearer
Who can this person be
You wouldnt know me at all today
From the fading light I fly
Rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you're my flame
Go about your business
Act as if you’re free
Noone could have witnessed
What you did to me
Cause you wouldn’t know me today
And you have got to see
To believe
From the fading light I fly
Rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
I rise up to the sky
You threw me down but
I'm gonna fly
And rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you’re my flame
Not everyone was pleased.
We stand here discussing Mr. Wurst, a man in women's clothing who sings. To me this is completely overrated when compared to the problems are actually facing.
We tolerate all homosexuals, we don't have any problems at all anymore. We keep talking about homosexuals, we talk about bisexuals, we talk about transsexuals, intersexuals, intrasexuals, and so forth. We keep revolving around our sexuality and I have the impression that at the European level and in the member nations we've out-discussed this subject.
--Beatrix von Storch, Alternatives for Germany
Criticism doesn't matter to me. No one has to come to hear me
"The persona of Conchita is one piece of the cake of my life. She did not come into being on a drawing board.
--Thomas Neuwirth who has performed drag since the age of 14
