Nemo’s Eurovision Triumph Shakes Up LGBTQ+ Visibility in Song Contest History

Nemo Breaks Ground at Eurovision With Personal Anthem

When Nemo took to the stage in Malmö for Eurovision 2024, few predicted just how far their performance would echo beyond the contest itself. Their song, The Code, became an anthem of self-discovery—a raw, fast-paced track tracking their journey to understanding their non-binary identity. But the real story goes far beyond a single performance or a shiny trophy. Nemo’s win wasn’t just personal; it sent shockwaves across Europe and beyond, making space for a broader dialogue about gender identity on one of the world’s most-watched stages.

Born Nemo Mettler in Biel, Switzerland, back in 1999, they weren’t exactly destined for international pop stardom at birth. But early signs were there. As a kid, Nemo was already juggling several instruments, diving deep into music as a kind of self-expression. Their talent really exploded into the spotlight in 2016 when a homemade video went viral—this wasn’t a manufactured pop act, but someone letting the world in on the real stuff: confusion, empowerment, growth, and mental struggle, all channeled through music.

Fast-forward to Eurovision 2024 and Switzerland’s third-ever win. The first was back in 1956—the contest’s starting year. Then Celine Dion gave them their second big moment in 1988. And now, Nemo brought Switzerland back into the spotlight, not just musically but socially. They turned the contest on its head, becoming the first openly non-binary Eurovision winner in history. The ripple effect was immediate. Fans and LGBTQ+ communities across Europe celebrated. Media across multiple languages dissected what this meant for representation and identity in mainstream entertainment. It was one thing to put out a message in social media circles; it was another to have over 160 million people watching live.

Beyond the Spotlight: Impact and New Directions

Nemo’s music doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—mental health and gender identity are right up front. They use their songs to talk about life’s uncertainties, the messy bits of finding yourself outside traditional definitions. The Code wasn’t just a catchy Eurovision track, it was a lifeline for young people grappling with their own journeys—listeners who rarely saw anyone like themselves on such a prestigious stage.

The win came with its own rollercoaster, as Nemo put it, turning life “upside down.” Suddenly, the musician who once uploaded covers from their bedroom found themselves as an international voice for a generation questioning binaries and fixed labels. That’s a big role to take on. But Nemo hasn’t shied away. Hot on the heels of the Eurovision high, they dropped a new single, Unexplainable, ahead of the 2025 contest season. It shows no sign of stepping back from honest storytelling.

While Eurovision has long prided itself on being open-minded and fun, its winners have rarely pushed boundaries quite so pointedly on gender identity. Nemo’s win pushed past surface-level inclusivity, forcing wider conversations about how identity is portrayed, discussed, and celebrated in the mainstream. For fans, LGBTQ+ youth, and music lovers everywhere, Nemo’s moment at Eurovision wasn’t just about one person or one win—it was a seismic shift in who gets seen and heard on the biggest stage of all.