Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo made a striking choice at the contest’s opening parade in Sweden.
Eschewing the traditional red and white Swiss flag, Nemo instead chose a flag with yellow, white, purple, and black stripes.
This distinctive flag represents the non-binary community—a group that does not identify strictly as male or female—a community to which Nemo proudly belongs.
A Symbol of Pride and Resistance
The flag Nemo carried is less recognized than the more familiar rainbow flag, which embodies the broader LGBT+ community.
Instead, the non-binary flag features specific colors each with its own meaning: yellow for those who identify outside the gender binary, white for non-binary people, purple representing the fluidity between gender identities, and black for those who feel they are without a gender.
This was a historic moment for Eurovision as Nemo became the first non-binary person to win the contest.
Their victory not only celebrates their musical talent but also marks a significant milestone in Eurovision’s history of inclusiveness and diversity.
Eurovision’s Tradition of Tolerance
Nemo’s act of carrying the non-binary flag was more than just a personal statement; it was a nod to Eurovision's longstanding tradition of supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
The contest has long been a platform for artists to express their identities freely and openly, from Austria’s bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst winning in 2014 to France’s Bilal Hassani, a favorite in 2019.
Despite Eurovision's rules typically prohibiting any flags other than those of participating countries—particularly flags with political messages—Nemo felt compelled to sneak their flag into the parade.
“Eurovision needs a bit of a shakeup,” Nemo said, hinting at the need for the contest to evolve and continue its support for all identities.
