The Pride Festival begins on Monday and later this week, on Thursday, the heart of the festival, Pride District, opens in the Slakthusområdet. Visitors will then hear opening speaker Petter Wallenberg explain how, after numerous threats - including several death threats - he finally fought back against the haters.
You are faced with two choices. Either you give up, retreat. Disappear. Or you decide to take up the fight. I chose the latter.
Hate crime expert
Petter Wallenberg, who became known through the drag show group Bland drakar och dragqueens, will also present a new initiative - the Hate Crime Council - which is based on his own experiences. The council is there to help and support other victims of crime.
"I just wanted to deal with glitter and joy, and performing arts. That's how I became an expert on hate crimes, after struggling for a very long time with reporting to the police, collecting evidence and testifying in trials," says Petter Wallenberg.
He says that the fight has resulted in 300 police reports and 23 convictions - two of which were against elected municipal politicians.
It is unique in its kind and shows that they are not getting away with it anymore. Hopefully it will also lead to more people daring to report it, when they see that it actually leads somewhere.
No police uniforms
New at this year's Pride is that the police officers who join the parade are not allowed to wear their uniforms, following a decision by the Police Authority. The justification is that the neutrality of the police must not be compromised.
The police will instead be allowed to join the march in civilian clothes. The Swedish Police Association has opposed the decision, claiming that Pride is not about political stances but about human rights.
Petter Wallenberg sees it as a worrying sign of the times that issues relating to LGBTQI are increasingly being politicized.
We must not forget that these issues are about the right to live and exist, he says.
For Petter Wallenberg, the Pride Festival means colorful resistance, being able to laugh even when you want to cry - and continuing to dance.
I, who can look back on the “old days” before Pride, realize how quickly the pendulum can swing. That is why it is more important than ever that we all stand up and put our heels down. We must not get stuck in the darkness, there is hope. And strength.
The new Hate Crime Council, which is being launched in conjunction with the Pride Festival, will function as support for LGBTQI people who have been victims of crime. This could include providing support in the legal process and assisting with police reports and pursuing cases.
The council will also raise awareness about hate crimes targeting LGBTQI people. A third purpose is to train prosecutors, police and other key figures in the justice system, so that the crimes can be better combatted.
The Hate Crime Council is a collaboration with the human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders and a number of other organizations.
