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Stockholm Pride artist slams ‘barbaric’ Russia

Swedish artist Alexander Bard officially opened Scandinavia's biggest pride festival on Wednesday night, lambasting Russian president Vladimir Putin's reign of persecution against the gay, lesbian and trans community.

Published: 1 August 2013 07:50 CEST

Stockholm Pride artist slams 'barbaric' Russia

“The escalating persecution of homo-, bi- and transsexuals in Russia today under Vladimir Putin’s rule is among the most cruel and most barbaric discrimination of a group of people that we have seen in Europe since the 1940s,” Bard said at the opening ceremony in Stockholm.

He called on all Swedish athletes set to compete in the winter olympics in Sotchi, Russia next year to carry a rainbow flag during the opening ceremony.

“If you are scared to do that, then don’t travel there to support this spectacle,” Bard said.

The US ambassador to Sweden, Mark Brzezinski, also spoke at the opening ceremony, underscoring the importance of standing up for the rights of LGBT persons.

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Merkel condemns Hungary's LGBTQ law as 'wrong'

Chancellor Angela Merkel speaking in the Bundestag on Wednesday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Felix Schröder

“I consider this law to be wrong and incompatible with my understanding of politics,” Merkel said on Wednesday in response to a query from a far-right lawmaker at government question time in parliament.

The German leader said she saw it as a contradiction that “single-sex partnerships are allowed” in Hungary “but education about them is restricted”.

“That impacts freedom of education and such matters and is something I oppose politically,” she said.

It was likely Merkel’s final question and answer session in the Bundestag before she steps down at the federal election in September.

Merkel was also quizzed on Germany’s Covid management where she reiterated that the pandemic “is not over yet”.

Rainbow flags across Germany

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the Hungarian law as a “shame” that went against EU values, saying it “clearly discriminates against people on the basis of their sexual orientation”.

READ ALSO: Germany turns rainbow-coloured in protest at UEFA stadium ban

She said the Commission would raise legal concerns over the law with Budapest, and added: “I will use all the powers of the commission to ensure that the rights of all EU citizens are guaranteed whoever you are, and wherever you live.”

Merkel declined to be drawn on the Commission’s plans against Budapest, or on a disputed decision by UEFA refusing to allow the Munich stadium hosting Wednesday’s Germany-Hungary Euro 2020 match to light up in rainbow colours.

READ ALSO: UEFA refuses to light Munich stadium in rainbow colours for Germany-Hungary match

Munich city authorities had planned the display to “send a visible sign of solidarity” with Hungary’s LGBTQ community.

Fifteen of the EU’s member states have signed up to voice their “grave concern” at the LGBTQ law that Budapest argues will protect children.

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