Picture of homosexual couple wins first prize

The picture shows Jon and Alex, a gay couple during an intimate moment in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Life for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people is becoming increasingly difficult in Russia, with sexual minorities facing growing harassment, legal and social discrimination, and even violent hate crimes from conservative, religious or nationalist circles. The World Press Photo of the Year 2014, which also won the first prize for the Contemporary Issues category, is part of the comprehensive project "Homophobia in Russia" by Mads Nissen on behalf of Scanpix.

The 17-member international jury selected the best works in eight categories from 97,912 proposals submitted by 5,692 photographers from 131 countries. U.S.-based Michelle McNally, jury member as well as director of photography and deputy editorial director of The New York Times, explained the choice this way: "It's a historic time for the image... the winning image must be aesthetic and meaningful, and at the same time have the potential to become an icon. This image is aesthetic, powerful and has humanity."

For the eighth time, Keystone - together with the Leading Partners Canon and Baumann & Cie, Banquiers as well as gdz and the media partners NZZ am Sonntag and persönlich - brings the World Press Photo exhibition to Zurich: From May 7 - 31, 2015, the award-winning photographs will make a guest appearance at the Folium in Sihlcity. Jean-Claude Biver, "Chairman of Hublot and President of LVMH watches division", will open the exhibition in Zurich.