Generous donation from Nemo to Queeramnesty

In 2024, Nemo won the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö for Switzerland with "The Code". In 2025, the non-binary star performed again at the Eurovision show in Basel. The outfit from this performance was auctioned off on Ricardo's Secondhand Day in early November – Nemo donated the proceeds of 3,514 Swiss francs to Queeramnesty.

Text: Ralf Kaminski

“We live in a time that presents many challenges for queer people – in Switzerland and worldwide,” Nemo told Queeramnesty. “I am donating this money to Queeramnesty because you work for the safety and non-discrimination of queer people everywhere.”

The online auction, which ran from October 29th to November 8th and was organized by the sales platform Ricardo, raised 3,514 Swiss francs. This took place as part of the national Secondhand Day, now in its sixth year, which aims to raise awareness among the Swiss population about sustainable consumption and to send a message against mass consumption and its consequences. Hundreds of online marketplaces, secondhand shops, flea markets, and thrift stores participate each year.

A piece of Swiss ESC history

This year's charity event received prominent support from Nemo (26). The outfit worn during the Basel performance is a unique Eurovision Song Contest collector's item – a form-fitting, one-of-a-kind piece adorned with 55,000 Swarovski crystals, specially designed for the occasion by British designer Beau Tiger Ray and now auctioned off, complete with a red wig. "This outfit is perfect for the campaign," Nemo told the media. "It's part of our Eurovision victory and hosting the event here in Switzerland. I see it as a piece of history we've made, and I'm very proud of it. I also like the idea that something important to me can live on and mean something to someone else."

Nemo performing at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel 2025. (Photo: Eurovision)

As a non-binary star, Nemo is confronted with hate from time to time. "But I usually ignore it because it has nothing to do with me, only with the other person. If it's really bad, I report it," Nemo explained to Queeramnesty. Nemo also finds that acceptance is much higher in person than, for example, online, where people can express themselves anonymously and feel more justified in expressing their hate. "In direct interactions, respect is automatically higher; people try to understand and accept each other."

Many thanks to Nemo and Ricardo!

Queeramnesty is proud and grateful for Nemo's generous donation to support our important volunteer work in the field of queer rights. We also thank Ricardo, who organized this auction and waived all the fees that would normally be charged.

The money and the unusually high level of media attention come at just the right time for us, because queer rights are under pressure worldwide – increasingly so again in the democratic Western world. We must resolutely oppose this. At the same time, we continue to receive numerous requests from queer refugees who are going through the lengthy asylum process in Switzerland. Many of them have fled from countries in Africa and the Middle East and are asking us for support. Nemo's donation enables us to strengthen our work in all these areas. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved!