The Local Sweden

Gay Sweden Democrat backs party's Pride flag decision

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 18:58:20 +0200

The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats' most senior openly gap MP has defended party colleagues' decision to stop flying the rainbow gay pride flag outside a local city council headquarters.

Pride 2019: How to celebrate in Sweden

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 17:55:39 +0200

Swedish Pride means a month or more of parades, talks, and other celebrations for the country's gay, trans and queer community and allies. Here are five things to know about Pride in one of the world's most LGBTQ-friendly countries.

Opening a window on the Queer world

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:48:00 +0200

A new exhibition of 'queer' art provides a perfect prelude to this year's Europride festival, writes David Bartal.

Swedish vicar to make history with first gay church marriage in Spain

Thu, 24 May 2018 14:00:36 +0200

A Swedish vicar is about to become the first priest in Spain to conduct a gay wedding.

Transgender YouTube star Viktoria, 14, wins plaudits at Swedish gala

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:01:20 +0100

A 14-year-old transgender girl whose YouTube channel dealing with gender identity issues has become a national hit in Sweden, won plaudits at a glitzy awards ceremony for the country's gay, bisexual and transgender communities on Monday.

Ten reasons why Stockholm Pride is simply awesome

Fri, 29 Jul 2016 17:40:34 +0200

Stockholm Pride 2017 kicks off in just a few days, and with everything from lectures to performances and the all important parade, there’s plenty to love. Here’s why we think it’s pretty amazing.

Stockholm named one of world's best gay cities

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 17:44:14 +0100

Stockholm is one of the world's best cities for gay people, according to a new ranking.

Why a gay Syrian refugee became a Jew and wants to move to Israel

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 18:14:46 +0100

Stockholm resident Refat Rothschild has ditched his drugs, his old name, and his old religion.

'Sweden is doing much better than most other countries'

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 08:59:00 +0200

Amir Ashour isn’t afraid to think big. From his base in southern Swedish city Malmö, he runs IraQueer, the first and only organization for the LGBT community in Iraq and the Kurdistan region. Ashour speaks to The Local about his life working in Sweden, his hopes of returning home, and his political ambitions.

Swedish police slammed for deporting gay Ugandan

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 17:38:33 +0200

Sweden’s justice watchdog has sharply criticised the the way in which a gay Ugandan man was sent home to face possible life imprisonment and even death, even though his case was under review.

Migration agency ’to get rid of LGBT experts’

Sat, 27 Aug 2016 12:28:42 +0200

An internal report looking at ways to make Sweden’s Migration Agency more efficient has proposed the agency gets rid of specialists dedicated to LGBT-related issues. The move has prompted the country’s main gay rights group to see red.

High security as Orlando top of mind at Stockholm Pride

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 17:01:44 +0200

Security will be high at this week’s Stockholm’s Pride festival, with last month’s massacre at a gay club in Orlando a reminder that gay and transgender people are potential targets for attacks.

Orlando reflections: Is it possible to be gay and Muslim?

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:21:19 +0200

In the wake of the shocking attacks on an LGBT nightclub in Florida, two gay Muslims living in Sweden share their views on whether homosexuality and Islam can be compatible - and whether Islam is to blame for the attacks.

Swedes slam 'censorship' of cartoon lesbian romance

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 17:45:30 +0200

A group of Swedes have launched a petition urging Cartoon Network to stop censoring a lesbian romance depicted in one of its shows, after a scene showing two women flirting was apparently altered in the Swedish dub of the programme.

Hospital gets 'world's first LGBTQ-friendly' stamp

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 19:29:12 +0200

A hospital has become the first in Sweden – and possibly in the world – to score an official LGBTQ certification, according to the association for gay, bisexual and transgender rights behind the stamp.

'We're screwed if Sweden doesn't let us stay'

Fri, 20 May 2016 13:10:41 +0200

Their families want them dead, but they don't know if Sweden will take them in. Sirwan and Karwan tell The Local what it's like to be transgender Kurds on the run from rapists and killers.

Swedish church boss: 'Homosexuality is a trend'

Thu, 19 May 2016 18:21:04 +0200

A member of the highest decision-making body of the Swedish Church has described homosexuality as 'just a trend' in response to other priests' participation in a Pride parade.

These are some of Sweden's new gay pride mailboxes

Wed, 11 May 2016 19:10:54 +0200

Swedish postboxes painted in rainbow colours are making a splash in Stockholm just in time for Eurovision, in a show of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

Sweden slides down Europe's 'gay friendly' rankings

Tue, 10 May 2016 17:59:41 +0200

The Nordic country has fallen from fourth to twelfth place in a review of how LGBTI people experience human rights across the continent, by campaign group ILGA-Europe.

'All homosexuals in Sweden may freely come to Russia'

Mon, 09 May 2016 09:31:19 +0200

Swedes have nothing to fear from Russia, its ambassador in Stockholm, Viktor Tatarintsev, has said ahead of Eurovision, accusing Swedish media of "Russophobia".