Swedish politicians attend the Pride Parade – Expressen

At 13:00 was the starting point for this year’s Pride Parade.

Around 45,000 people took part in the parade, including several cabinet ministers and party leaders.

– It is important that we all stand up for human equality to feel safe, says Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (S).

More than 200 regnbågsekipage rolled through the capital and the organizers counted with at least 45 000 people in the Pride parade.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (S) was one of them. Last year, he was out of town but participated in the year to support LGBT social movements after the attack on gay club Pulse in Orlando in the United States.

– It is important that we all stand up for human equality to feel secure. Our society has a responsibility to all. We set up in this kind of context, because it is important to show commitment. Everyone should feel welcome in our society, says Stefan Löfven Expressen.

From the Government also participated Minister for Social Annika Strandhäll (S), culture and democracy minister Alice Bah Kuhnke (MP), public health, healthcare and Sports Minister Gabriel Wikström (S) and Education Minister Gustav Fridolin (MP) in the train.

– the Government has this week announced that transgender people should be included in the law on incitement to racial hatred. It is an important step for a society where LGBT people can live their lives free. But the work must constantly take new steps, much remains. It is the government’s most important message. Pride is about the freedom to be exactly who you are, says Alice Bah Kuhnke.

Several party leaders attended

Ebba Busch Thor became the first Christian democratic Party leader ever took part in the parade. The issue is controversial in the party. One of the counter-arguments has been that the organizers values ​​of insemination and surrogacy is against the party’s values. Busch Thor has said she participates to stand up for the equal worth.

– Now we are in time! Happy Pride! Today we go in Pride. For freedom to be who you are and peace to love the one you love, says Busch Thor on Twitter.

Even the Left Party, Sjöstedt participated and Moderate Party leader Anna Kinberg Batra.

– Today I walk in the Pride parade, to Sweden should be safe for everyone, always and no matter who you love, she said on Twitter.

and many did not

the Centre Party’s Annie Lööf came however, do not.

– Annie Lööf will not be on the Pride train. She has gone on Pride several times and has recently been at the Democratic convention in the US, says press secretary Jonas Nyström.

Green Party spokesperson Isabella Lövin, Liberals’ leader Jan Björklund and Feminist Initiatives leader Schyman was not.

– She will not go to the Pride parade this year, says Schyman’s press secretary, Henrik Bystrom.

Just like last year, the Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson not welcome at the festival. Akesson says that obscene elements, nudity and general sexualization detract from the important message.

– Can you guarantee that the obscene parts disappears, we may also consider participating in Pride, he has said to TT.

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