On the Go Travel: Sweden
Pride of the North
Nothing against the tall, dark, and handsome types, but there is something to be said for being big, burly, and blond. OK, so maybe I have a Thor fetish, but if you are attending Stockholm Pride (July 30 – August 5), get ready not only for the biggest Pride event in Scandinavia, but for a veritable smörgåsbord of big, burly, Viking blondness.
This year’s Pride event theme is “Together,” and indeed, there are few cities on the planet that so gleefully embraces its Pride as Stockholm. The Swedish capital has been called the “Venice of the North,” and for very good reason: Stockholm is built on 14 islands, and the largest, Södermalm, is all but commandeered for Pride, being the end-point of the city’s huge Pride Parade on August 4. Starting on the mainland portion of the city in the Humlegården section, the parade winds south over land and sea to Södermalm, site of the Tantolunden Pride Park and assorted concert stages for the expected 500,000 incoming rainbow-rockin’ looky-loos.
The Stockholm club scene is Nordic Europe at its best. A good idea is to pick up a copy of QX, Stockholm’s answer to Wire Magazine. Even if you can’t speak Swedish, the map of gay Stockholm is a godsend. If you haven’t guessed, Södermalm is the gay nerve center of the city (and that goes double for a section called “SoFo,” or “south of Folkungagatan”), with the venues Zipper Club, Garage, and the massive, multi-floored Paradise all within walking distance of each other. On Pride Sunday, head to the moored lightship-turned-party-boat Patricia for some lager and some “schlager,” Sweden’s very own version of artistically debatable but infectiously danceable euro pop. For something a little harder (or many things a lot harder) SLM, which stands for “Scandinavian Leather Men.” Be nice; don’t make them get all Viking on your ass. Ask politely first.
When it comes to the gay travel industry, all of Sweden is hard to beat; according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), Sweden is Europe’s most gay-friendly country. It decriminalized gay sex in 1944, was the first country to declassify homosexuality as an illness in 1979, and in 2009, the Church of Sweden voted to bless gay couples. What’s not to love? This is the country gave us IKEA (admit it, you have it somewhere in your house) and 3/4ths of ABBA.
And Thor. Sigh… The Stockholm Tourist office has invested full throttle efforts into LGBT marketing. Steele Luxury Travel has fantastic recommendations and benefits when traveling to this beautiful destination. Be sure to contact us for any traveling assistance at www.steeletravel.com or call 646-688-2274.
Live Your Indulgence, in full glory.