Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst and human rights activist Peter Tatchell are set to receive a Berlin Pride Soul of Stonewall Award tonight, along with Nigerian activist Dorothy Aken’Ova.

Tatchell says he will dedicate his award, which is bestowed by the Berlin Pride Association (Berliner CSD e.V) for ‘Exceptional Achievement’, to Russian LGBTI campaigners and their straight allies.

‘It is a huge honour to receive this award alongside Conchita and Dorothy,’ says Tatchell. ‘I’m a huge admirer of Dorothy’s work in Nigeria. She has been an outstanding champion of the rights of women and sexual minorities. Conchita made a huge global impact at Eurovision, challenging gender stereotypes and promoting gender diversity.’

He pointed out that the Russian LGBTI activists and their straight allies are doing ‘amazing work in conditions of great adversity, risking arrest and violence. Together with LGBTI activists in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Middle East, they are in the frontline of the global struggle for LGBTI human rights.’

He continued: ‘I’ve been campaigning for LGBTI rights and other human rights for over 47 years. I could never have done half of what I’ve achieved without the support of other equally committed activists. This award is for them too.

‘I’ve done my bit but so have many, many others. Together, collectively and cumulatively, we’ve made huge strides for LGBTI rights in many parts of the world. Despite the recent setbacks in Russia, Uganda, Nigeria and India, the overall global trend is towards LGBTI liberation. It’s an unstoppable worldwide trend.

‘My idealism is undiminished from when I first began campaigning in 1967. My motto is: Don’t accept the world as it is. Dream of what the word could be – and then help make it happen.’

Soul of Stonewall Award recipients

Resistance Award: Dorothy Aken’Ova – Executive Director of International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights (INCRESE) in Nigeria
Exceptional Achievement Award: Peter Tatchell – Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
Special Award: Conchita Wurst – Winner Eurovision song contest 2014
National Award: Heute Show – German weekly pro-LGBT satire show
International Award: Honey Maid – “This is wholesome” campaign