Eurovision winner JJ says he was prevented from bringing Pride flag on stage

Eurovision Song Contest 2025 winner JJ tried to flout the contest’s new rules on Pride flags, but was caught in the act.

One of the most controversial elements of this year’s Eurovision in Basel, Switzerland, was the European Broadcast Union’s (EBU) decision to change the contest’s flag policy.

Though the rule change allowed for members of the public to bring any law-abiding flag into official Eurovision events, participants in the contest were restricted to only brandishing the flag that represented their country.

The policy meant that the contest’s host of LGBTQ+ participants were banned from holding any Pride flags at official events, including on stage at the semi-finals and grand final.

Yet this year’s winner, Austrian representative and “Wasted Love” singer JJ, attempted to defy the rule but was prevented from doing so.

“Although it comforted me to know the audience could [bring Pride flags into the arena], I tried to sneak a flag in during the final. But they caught me,” JJ told Spanish publication El País.

“I had it in my pants pocket, and someone from the organisation saw what I was carrying. Just before going on stage, they told me: ‘That’s not your country’s flag, you can’t take it out.’ I almost succeeded.”

The musician is the third LGBTQ+ act in a row to win Eurovision, after last year’s non-binary act Nemo and 2023 winner Loreen.

Nemo has previously said that they had to “smuggle” a non-binary flag onto the stage at the 2024 contest.

After learning of the effective Pride flag ban, Nemo told PinkNews that they were “sad” and “confused” by the EBU’s decision.

“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 said.

“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.”

They suggested that the EBU should “take a stance” and “take responsibility” for the number of LGBTQ+ people who participate in and watch Eurovision. 

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

In response to the controversy, a EBU spokesperson told PinkNews ahead of last week’s final that it wanted to “strike a balance” between allowing artists to express their identity and being in line with other “international competitive events”.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

After winning Eurovision, JJ explained that he wanted to use his newfound platform to “stand up for” the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

“I’m going to seize the opportunity and use this huge platform like Eurovision to stand up for rights for the entire queer community and to ensure we have more equality,” he shared.

“There’s still a huge stigma surrounding us, and unfortunately, Europe is becoming increasingly conservative, taking steps backward. It’s very, very disappointing, and something needs to be done about it.”

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