Let’s hear it for the girl. Conchita Wurst, a bearded drag performer from Austria, won the prestigious 2014 Eurovision Song Contest Saturday night. Wurst’s onstage drag persona was created by a 25-year-old singer named Thomas Neuwirth. While Wurst garnered massive respect and support for her bravery and powerhouse vocals, there was naturally some dissent as well. Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky slammed Wurst’s victory at the 59th annual competition as “the end of Europe” adding, “There is no limit to our outrage.”
Wurst was unfazed. “This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom…we are unity and we are unstoppable,” she said upon winning.
During the press conference that followed, Wurst continued to express gratitude and noted the deeper meaning of her win. “I felt like tonight Europe showed that we are a community of respect and tolerance,” she said. Many of Wurst’s fans tweeted messages insisting that the singer be considered to record the theme song for the next James Bond film.
Wurst’s win was just the latest in a slew of victories for LGBT people. On Friday a circuit court judge in Arkansas declared the state’s ban on same-sex marriage to be “unconstitutional” and Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL on Saturday. It was such a monumental weekend that even God Himself was impressed and tweeted mankind with His approval.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
An openly gay man joins the NFL, a Southern state issues same-sex marriage licenses and a drag queen wins Eurovision. #mostfabulousdayever
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) May 11, 2014
Watch Wurst perform “Rise Like a Phoenix” below.
KDub
Mocking faith is a good way to celebrate a “victory”? Let’s not be sore winners.
jayj150
@KDub: How exactly are they mocking faith?. If homophobes get to use God to promote hatred, why can’t we do it to, to promote equality?. And the tweet was referencing not just the EV victory, but Michael Sam’s joining the NFL and same sex marriage becoming legal in Arkansas, both of which are very much gay victories, no need to double quote.
enfilmigult
@KDub: Plenty of people believe sincerely that God approves of all of these things. Plenty also believe that expressing these beliefs by jokingly speaking in His name on a Twitter account is not something He’d consider a big deal.
And if folks who think their religion is so obviously superior and universal they need not even mention it by name (ahem) can’t help seeing “mockery” of their beliefs in every public expression of a differing one, I’m afraid that’s their problem.
Motard
I’ve always liked to believe that a kind, just, loving God would be precisely the sort of deity to celebrate signs that humanity is slowly, achingly making progress.
Also, that he throws, like – the best Eurovision parties EVER.
KDub
@jayj150: Then attack homophobes. By attacking all people of faith, you fail by offending people that are actually on your side, which includes gay people of faith too. It’s tacky and unnecessary.
@enfilmigult: I believe in a God that “approves of all these things” as well. However, posing as God on Twitter to promote anything is nothing but disrespect. Gay or straight doesn’t matter. I happen to think the whole marketing strategy behind Christian Mingle is quite tasteless as well. Wins are cute, gloating and opportunism are not.
Brendan
@KDub: Gurl, you need to calm down. This ain’t about about just you, so let those who want to celebrate have their moment and you can come back with the PC police tomorrow, k?
Desert Boy
@KDub: – Aw. A concern troll.
Desert Boy
Conchita Wurst is much prettier than Kim Kardashian.
Merv
Faith is belief without evidence. Why shouldn’t it be mocked?
Desert Boy
I hope Ru Paul invites Conchita Wurst to be a judge on Drag Race next season.
Cy
Men of faith have been speaking in God’s name and perverting his words to their own end since someone first came up with the whole concept of organized religion. The fact that it’s done on Twitter just shows that he’s evolving. But that’s certainly not mockery, it’s flattery. However, none of that should distract from the main victory of this article. Congratulations to Conchita Wurst, an inspiration to us all.
KDub
@Brendan: LOL absolutely love when you queens try to get big and bad. Thanks for my laugh of the day, gurl! It’s almost believeable until you’re all right back to playing victim (and ironically calling for “the PC police”) next time someone says something homophobic.
TheNewEnergyDude
@Merv: amen to that!
dukeofhurl
@KDub: A twitter account for god is no different than a twitter account for the easter bunny or santa claus.
Yiannis
It was a great performance and a clean win by a very talented and sensitive person. European people indicated with their voting that the tide is turning and European politician better pay attention – especially in Eastern Europe and Southern Europe. I’d mark yesterday down as a very good day for us.
Mezaien
Mocking faith!! why not? always send Christianity to a NO return place like the Vatican. Rather be HOMOSEXUAL, then a Christian.
Qjersey
@Desert Boy:
THIS
ingyaom
Why does this article refer to the singer as “she”? Does he identify as a woman? Do we even know if he’s gay (or trans)?
ChiChi Man
@ingyaom: From what I can tell, Neuwirth is referred to as “he”. But Neuwirth created Conchita (his words) and Conchita is referred to as “she” by Neuwirth and the press.
ChiChi Man
@KDub: I don’t understand how seeing god as accepting and inclusive is mocking people of faith. The people of faith I know believe that god loves LGBT people.
westsideed
Who gives a flying fig what Russia thinks?