Non-binary Eurovision winner Nemo condemns Pride flag ban

Eurovision winner Nemo has said that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the Eurovision Song Contest, is not taking its “responsibility” towards LGBTQ+ people seriously by enforcing rules banning Pride flags.

Last month, it was confirmed that this year’s Eurovision contestants and their delegates will be banned from bringing any flag that isn’t the flag of the country they are representing into any official Eurovision event.

In essence, the new rule prevents participants from bringing any variation of the Pride flag on to the main stage at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, to the Green Room, the Eurovision Village stage, Flag Parade or Turquoise Carpet.

The updated rule comes after last year’s history-making non-binary entrant for Switzerland, Nemo, who went on to win the competition, had to “smuggle” a non-binary flag into last year’s Flag Parade.

After the fact, the “The Code” singer said that they had to “smuggle” the flag into the area after they were initially prohibited from taking it in. 

Speaking exclusively to PinkNews, Nemo said that they are “confused” by the new guidance and believes that the EBU is letting down Eurovision’s huge LGBTQ+ fanbase by preventing LGBTQ+ artists from celebrating with Pride flags.

“At this point, I’m very confused,” the 25-year-old said.

“Last year… I was preparing my non-binary flag and I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to go with the Swiss flag and the non-binary flag’ and then someone was like, ‘Oh sorry, you can’t take that in, it’s forbidden on stage’ and I was like, ‘OK, I’m just going to keep quiet and put it somewhere where no one can see it’.”

Nemo said that after they won, official Eurovision social media accounts posted photos of them holding the non-binary flag in celebration, despite them being told they weren’t allowed to brandish it.

“Like, that’s so dumb. And then they put out a statement saying like, ‘It was always allowed,’ basically, and there was never a rule against it. I’m like, OK good, so we can move forward now and this will not be an issue.

“Now, this year, they’re actively saying that it’s not allowed anymore even though Switzerland would have no problem with it.”

The new EBU flag policy indicates that while Eurovision participants must only carry their country’s flag, fans and spectators will be allowed to bring any type of flag into Eurovision spaces, as long as they comply with Swiss law and are not discriminatory nor incite hatred.

“I just don’t get it. I think I’m just confused by the decision making process and what the intention behind it is,” Nemo continued.

While the singer agrees that certain flags, if they are hateful, should be forbidden from Eurovision events, the EBU should make allowances for pro-LGBTQ+ flags.

“It has to make sense. You can’t be known for being the queerest thing in Europe basically, and then be like, ‘We don’t allow Pride flags.’ It just doesn’t make sense to me, especially in this time.”

Nemo suggested that the EBU “can take a stance right now” and should “take responsibility” given that so many queer people attend, watch and compete in Eurovision. 

“It just kind of makes me sad, I guess, that this responsibility doesn’t seem to be taken.”

Nemo said that it would be “so intimidating” if there had been measures in place to prevent them from bringing their Pride flag onto stage, such as patting down.

As it stands, the EBU has said there will be “consequences” for contestants who do not follow the rules regarding flags, but did not specify what consequences would enforced. The EBU has also not outlined how the flag rules will be enforced.

“I wouldn’t want to be patted down right before I go on stage,” Nemo said. “I think that would make me feel like I’m doing something wrong.

“Let’s see if everyone follows the rules this year or not. Excited for further developments.”

In a statement to PinkNews when the flag ban was announced, an EBU spokesperson said: “The official flag policies of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 have been developed by the Swiss host broadcaster SRG SSR with input from the EBU, particularly on official ESC spaces, to provide clarity for audiences and delegations.

“Together we wanted to strike a balance to ensure that our audiences and artists can express their enthusiasm and identities, whilst at the same time provide more clarity for the delegations when it comes to official spaces.

“In line with other international competitive events, the policy for participating broadcasters is that only one national flag can be used in official spaces – these are the Stage, Green Room, Eurovision Village Stage and Turquoise Carpet.

“Outside of these official spaces the flag policy for delegations is the same as for audiences, where all flags permitted under Swiss law can be used, and provides plenty of opportunities for the expression of everyone’s identities.”

The Eurovision semi-final will take place on 15 May with the grand final occurring on Saturday 17 May.

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