Stockholm To Host Eurovision 2016

Eurovision reports:

This morning, SVT revealed Stockholm as the Host City for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. The capital city's Globe Arena will stage the contest for the second time in its history. The Semi-Finals will be held on 10 and 12 May, the Grand Final on 14 May 2016. Information about ticket sales is expected later this year. The process of finding a Host City for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest began directly after Måns Zelmerlöw’s victory in Vienna just over a month ago. "Stockholm has delivered a thorough offer which guarantees that the event once again is taken to the next level, says Martin Österdahl, Executive Producer for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of SVT. Österdahl also lead the production of the 2013 contest in Malmö, Sweden.

Eurovision is attended annually by thousands of gay men and travel companies typically offer packages from major European cities. Start planning now because every hotel for miles usually sells out. (Tipped by JMG reader Luis)

Stockholm Pride Invites Gay Russians

Last year a Russian court banned pride events in Moscow for the next 100 years. Via email from Visit Sweden:

Stockholm Pride invites all Russians to instead # GOWEST and celebrate Pride in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.  On the campaign page you can compose your tweet-invite that’s automatically translated into Russian. In addition, your location for this particular tweet will be changed to a location in Russia. To celebrate that love, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and gender identity is a democratic right, we have taken this opportunity to, with humor and love, direct a special invitation to all of Russia to celebrate Pride with us.

US Embassy Marches In Stockholm Pride

(Tipped by JMG reader Jonas)

It's The Gays' Fault!

During Stockholm Pride, Swedish state television aired this skewering of fundamentalism, which was performed at an audience sing-along festival. If subtitles do not appear, click on the red "CC" button at the bottom right of the player.

(Tipped by JMG reader John)

STOCKHOLM: Violence Erupts At Panel Featuring Muhammad Cartoonist

Andrew Sullivan tips us to this:

Lars Vilks, a Swedish cartoonist whose sketch of the Prophet Muhammad enraged many Muslims, was head-butted today while giving a lecture about freedom of speech. Vilks, who depicted the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog in 2007, said he was assaulted by a man sitting on the front row as he spoke at the University of Uppsala, about 70 kilometers from Stockholm. A spokesman for the Uppsala police said about 20 people tried to attack Vilks after interrupting his lecture, adding that the police had to intervene to stop them. Two people were detained. Vilks was not immediately available to comment further. He says he has received death threats since his Prophet sketch.

Sounds About Right

According to a widget created by Stockholm Pride, my Twitter feed is 1% hetero. I'll try to do better. Or worse, depending on how you look at it. Stockholm Pride is July 27th - August 2nd.