Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst will
perform at the United Nation's Vienna headquarters on Monday.
The winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song
Contest, real name Tom Neuwirth, will perform before UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon delivers a major address on LGBT rights.
A UN spokesperson applauded Wurst's
upcoming appearance.
“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. This
meeting will allow Ki-moon 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,” the spokesperson said.
Wurst, who performs with a full beard
and also goes by “the bearded lady,” won Eurovison with the power
ballad Rise
Like a Phoenix.