SWEDEN TO HOST EUROPRIDE 2018

Two cities, one country - for a united Europe open to the world. Stockholm Pride and Gothenburg’s West Pride collaborate to host Europride 2018.

 

The European Pride Organisers Association has decided that Stockholm Pride and West Pride in Gothenburg will host EuroPride in both cities in summer 2018. 

"We’re looking forward to a summer painted with the colors of the rainbow, with a dazzling celebration, discussion and manifesting the equal rights of all people, starting in Gothenburg in June and ending in August in Stockholm. We want to challenge the framework of what a Pride festival is. Every festival is part of a larger battle for the equal rights of all people. By collaborating with other festivals in Sweden and Europe, we’re showing that Pride and the LGBT movement are bigger than each week and city,” say Sandra Ehne, Chairperson of Stockholm Pride, and Laila Poulsen, Chairpeople of West Pride.

The summer of 2018 will be filled with joy, politics and solidarity in Sweden – and the organisers aim to challenge norms and shine a spotlight on LGBT issues and everyone’s right to love who they want and be who they are. In the spirit of collaboration and joining forces, we will place extra emphasis on international solidarity.

“It is with great joy that I welcome EuroPride 2018 to Gothenburg! The rights of LGBT individuals are human rights and human dignity is international. Together, we can make a difference in the world,” says Anneli Hulthén, Mayor of Gothenburg.

Sweden and Stockholm held EuroPride 1998 and 2008. On yet another 10 year anniversary, Sweden has yet another= opportunity to demonstrate how LGBT rights have developed in 20 years, while simultaneously carrying out the 25th EuroPride event – in what is known as one of the most open-minded countries in the world. 

"Stockholm is known worldwide as an open city, and we are happy and proud to welcome EuroPride for the third time. We have the necessary capacity to hold this kind of big event, and I look forward to welcoming visitors from Sweden and the rest of the world to EuroPride 2018,” says Karin Wanngård, Commissioner of Finance in Stockholm.

“I’m thriled that Sweden will have the opportunity to host this globally renowned LGBT celebration in both our largest cities. Stockholm was earlier this year honoured as “Destination of the Year” at the British LGBT Awards as a result of a public vote and we have been doing great work to attract more LGBT people to holiday in Gothenburg and West Sweden. West Pride has grown as an event in which people from the UK travel to and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to put all of Sweden in the spotlight and highlight what an amazing destination we are for LGBT travellers,” says Gabriel Dorch, of VisitSweden in the UK.

In 2015, EuroPride was held in Riga. In 2016 it will be in Amsterdam and in 2017, EuroPride will stand back for World Pride, which will take place in Madrid.

For more information, interviews, images, please contact UWERN JONG -uwern@boutiquemarketing.co.uk 

The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society starts a war against Putin

NEWS FROM STOCKHOLM...

Something scary is going on in the Baltic Sea. Foreign submarines are lurking around the archipelago due east of Stockholm and despite millions of tax dollars spent; The Swedish Armed Forces can’t find them. The Russians deny everything but the Swedish militaries are sure something is going on. It’s all hands on deck – for everyone. It’s time to shift gears and show the trespassers who’s in charge. 

The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society are introducing… our enemy’s worst nightmare: 

The Singing Sailor – a celebration of diversity and modern values. 

This alternative weapon is a sub surface sonar system sending out the Morse code: “This way if you are gay”. The Singing Sailor also features a neon sign with a sailor waving his white flag above the text “Welcome to Sweden - Gay since 1944” (the year Sweden legalized homosexuality). Interesting info for any Russian crew member passing close by.

The Singing Sailor cost a fraction of the Swedish navy’s unsuccessful submarine hunt. But most importantly, he is a contribution to the debate that we 2015 should move military resources into alternative, collaborative conflict resolution methods.  

The situation for LGBT rights in Russia is horrible. We could do so much more for peace and human rights with the billions we now spend on weapons purchases and military initiatives. Efforts that would actively prevent conflicts, instead of the rearmament that is being proposed now, says Anna Ek, president of The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Soiciety.

Love, peace and singing sailors

The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society is the world’s oldest peace organization and three times associated with winning the Nobel Peace Prize. 

The campaign film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCvQGFzZuWA 

The campaign website:
http://www.svenskafreds.se/singingsailor/

Sweden is one of the world's most open-minded LGBT destinations and its capital city, STOCKHOLM was the recent winner of the BRITISH LGBT AWARD for Destination of the Year. To find out more about Stockholm and plan a visit, visit its LGBT dedicated site gaylesbian.visitstockholm.com - #outinstockholm

STOCKHOLM WINS “DESTINATION OF THE YEAR” AT THE BRITISH LGBT AWARDS 2015

Stockholm is thrilled to announce that after a public jury of over 100,000 votes from the UK’s LGBT community, that the capital of Sweden was awarded “Destination of the Year” at the British LGBT awards. Stockholm faced tough competition from larger European capital cities, including Paris and Amsterdam and also some LGBT-favourites, Gran Canaria, Brighton and Key West, Florida. 

This accolade, dubbed Britain’s “Gay Oscars” and is the UK’s most high-profile gay awards recognises the people and organisations with a track record in promoting equality and diversity and those the gay community has a great affection for. The award honours Stockholm the UK’s favourite gay travel destination this year, celebrating the destination’s ongoing commitment to promoting LGBT tourism.

Christina Guggenberger, who has headed up the Stockholm Gay and Lesbian Network of the Stockholm Visitors Board for over 10 years comments: 

“We thank the British LGBT Awards for this, it is such an honour to be nominated, and to win is truly amazing. All the destinations nominated tonight are winners because they do great work in promoting important LGBT travel, something we are passionate in Stockholm. We believe in absolute diversity in our city and promoting inbound travel is not something we do just because it is good for the tourism economy, but because LGBT equality is something that is really part of our way of life.”

Uwern Jong of Boutique Marketing, who is Stockholm’s LGBT Ambassador across UK and Europe comments further:

“Our ultimate thanks goes to the Great British LGBT public, over a hundred thousand of you who voted for us as your favourite destination. We’ll be so pleased to have you all in Stockholm, especially this year with our Big Gay Stockholm Summer including Stockholm Pride and Eurogames. Tussen Tack! as we say in Swedish. A thousand thank yous to you all and hope to see you in Stockholm later this year!!”

The Stockholm Gay and Lesbian Network, a project within the Stockholm Visitors Board is unique, funded by partners who are passionate about gay and lesbian travel into the city. It works on groundbreaking global campaigns to market and develop Stockholm as an interesting and attractive destination to LGBT travellers.

Stockholm is the place where “narrow streets meets open minds” – a truly gay-welcoming, exciting, adventurous, cultured, trendy, sensual, delicious, social, fun, feminist, and queer destination.

Stockholm has long been attracting LGBT tourists, but it was just a few years ago that targeted campaigns to draw British LGBTs kicked-off, firstly creating interest in the destination for its world-famous Pride celebrations, but then driving more specific all-year-round interest in its sophisticated culture, fashion, food and LGBT lifestyle – and its beautiful and friendly people.

The city is a must-visit – the perfect place for a gay wedding or honeymoon (celebrating six glorious years of equal marriage backed by the Church of Sweden) and this year, proud host to Eurogames, one of the biggest global LGBT events.

For everything you need to know about gay and lesbian Stockholm, visit: gaylesbian.visitstockholm.com

Also follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/gaylesbianstockholm and #outinstockholm 

-ENDS-

For more information, contact Uwern Jong at Boutique Marketing, +44 203 286 3170 or uwern@boutiquemarketing.co.uk

EUROGAMES STOCKHOLM 2015 UK TOUR

EUROGAMES STOCKHOLM 2015 ON A UK-TOUR IN LONDON, MANCHESTER & BRIGHTON IN EARLY DECEMBER

The Eurogames Stockhom 2015 team will be visiting the UK next week, touching down in London, Manchester and Brighton between 4-7 December. Meet the team, win some free registrations or say hello when we hit No. 5 Greek Street @ Green Carnation in London and Taurus Bar in Manchester*. 

We are thrilled to meet UK's fabulous LGBT sports teams (Team-G(for gay)B) and people as well as the whole British LGBTQ community especially through our collaborationwith Pride Sports, BLAGSS and Out For Sport London. 

"We want to make the UK contingent the largest one at the games –  beating France and Germany. The UK has such great heritage and strength at sports and we know its LGBT teams and individuals will really enjoy Eurogames in Stockholm" says Jakob Jansson, President of EuroGames Stockholm 2015.

More news and information about the events on the UK tour:

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 vs. Out For Sport London

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 vs. Team Manchester

* More information about the event in Brighton will be released shortly

http://eurogamesstockholm.com/registration

For more information, pictures or interviews please contact: 

Niklas Torsell, Press Director, EuroGames Stockholm 2015

niklas@eurogamesstockholm.com or +46 (0) 70 897 43 26 

Jakob Jansson, President, EuroGames Stockholm 2015

jakob@eurogamesstockholm.com or +46 (0) 72 727 78 55

---ENDS---

Meet Team EuroGames Stockholm on their first UK stop at No. 5 at Green Carnation on Thursday 4^th of December at 6.30 PM.  Together with Out For Sport London we celebrate the start of our tour with a complimentary pree drink for all early guests as well as some awesome chances to win some free registrations. We also off course promise some Swedish treats, although it will remain a surprise until the big night.

Welcome!

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 vs. Out For Sport London

  

Friday fun will be in Manchester where Team EuroGames Stockholm together with Pride Sports will join forces with Manchester Pride for a sporty Christmas special at Taurus Bar. The evening will offer great prices in the bar, fundraisers all night for Manchester Pride as well as a Gay Xmas Knockout on Canal Street.

Welcome!

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 vs. Team Manchester

Team EuroGames Stockholm UK Tour – Presented by: 

No. 5 at Green Carnation - http://www.greencarnationlondon.com 

Taurus Bar - http://www.taurus-bar.co.uk

Out For Sport London - http://outforsport.wordpress.com

Pride Sports - http://www.pridesports.org.uk

BLAGSS - http://www.blagss.org/

Manchester Pride - http://www.manchesterpride.com

Stockholm Visitors Board - http://gaylesbian.visitstockholm.com

Information about EuroGames Stockholm 2015 

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 is among the world's largest LGBTQ-events, founded by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) in 1992 to combat discrimination, encourage integration, and promote the right to engage in sport, politics and culture - regardless of sexual orientation, gender, religion, age, ethnic origin, political beliefs, or athletic or artistic ability. 

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 is a sports, cultural and political event which will take place between the 5th and 9th of August 2015 and is expected to attract over 5.000 participants and more than 250.000 visitors. Previous host cities include Barcelona, Paris, London and Antwerp.

EuroGames Stockholm 2015 is held between Aug 5^th- 9^th 2015.

Registration for EuroGames Stockholm 2015 is now open at the following link:

http://eurogamesstockholm.com/registration

Follow Team EuroGames Stockholm for information, news and updates via:

www.facebook.com/eurogamesstockholm

www.twitter.com/eurogamessthlm

www.instagram.com/eurogamessthlm

Share your stories via the official hashtag #eurogamessthlm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL, WELCOMING CITY OF STOCKHOLM, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/gaylesbianstockholm

http://gaylesbian.visitstockholm.com

#outinstockholm

IT'S PRIDE WEEK IN STOCKHOLM!

It’s Pride week here in Stockholm and we’re gearing up for Scandinavia’s biggest LGBTQI Pride Festival. But on a normal day, there’s so much to be proud of here. So we're thrilled to feature a few special Pride related nuggets from our proud city.

MEET SANDRA EHNE, PRESIDENT OF STOCKHOLM PRIDE

 

On the Stockholm Gay and Lesbian blog this month at gaylesbian.visitstockholm.com, you can get acquainted with Sandra Ehne, President of Stockholm Pride. Despite her being a busy bee this month, she took time out of her schedule to speak with us, and we asked her about everything from where she finds her inspiration, to what not to miss in Stockholm. Read the whole interview here. More about Stockholm Pride 2014.

MORGAN’S STOCKHOLM

“We hold hands and kiss just like everybody else who’s in love.” Morgan.

Rather than showing the classic image of Stockholm, ten Stockholmers have been asked by Stockholm Visitors Board as part of their mainstream campaign, to share their thoughts about the city they love. Neither attractions nor classic views are on display. Instead, ordinary Stockholmers openly discuss their love for Stockholm, their interests, their relationship to the city and how they live here. 

The ten videos feature people like Jonas the geocacher, Madde the skateboarder, Sam the runner, Öivind the grandfather, and Otilia, who found love on the subway. But our favourite here is Morgan’s story – a gay man who believes Stockholm is the greatest gay city on earth and recently married his husband on a church on Södermalm.  The videos conclude with the hashtag #mystockholm and the pay-off “What’s yours?”.

View Morgan’s story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ch7kPt373w

PROUD TO EAT

One other thing we’re really proud of here in Stockholm is our food. Stockholm has experienced a culinary boom the last couple of years. Now everything, it seems, evolves around food. New venues are opening one after another. A block or two away from the tourist track you will find some of the most interesting places in town right now. Here are our tips!

Vigårda

Vigårda is a fast food restaurant located in the shopping center Mood. We like the interior as much as the food! It’s a stylish, affordable, fast food BBQ restaurant with delicious food. Vigårda is – fast food as we like it! http://vigarda.se/

Brasserie Le Rouge

There’s no Swedish minimalism at this place. Visiting the restaurant Le Rouge is like stepping into French fin-de-siecle. Classic French and Italian composed menus are served here, and tradition is more important than trendiness. Don’t miss the bar next door, Le Bar Rouge, which has quickly become one of Stockholm’s most popular hang-outs! http://lerouge.se/

Orangeriet

This convivial cocktail bar and outdoor cafe is located on Norr Mälarstrand seafront. The bartenders are topnotch, and the stylish décor is reminiscent of English gardens. The high level of ambition and attention to detail are familiar from Melker Andersson’s other restaurants. http://orangerietbar.se/

SLEEP NO MORE

To celebrate Stockholm Pride 2014 (28 July to 2 August) the Berns is hosting its own epic party. Packed with international and local acts from the world’s LGBT scene, Berns’ celebrations get going as soon as ‘The Queen of Europe’, Conchita Wurst, has opened Pride - at Östermalms IP AKA Pride Park on Wednesday, 30 July - with revellers heading to the hotel’s newly-launched gay club night, ‘Glory’.

Then, on Saturday, the real party starts. Kick off an unforgettable evening at Berns’ chandeliered concert hall, Stora Salongen, which promises a wild and insanely-fun night of cutting-edge music and unforgettable atmosphere - courtesy of London-based GutterSlut - featuring renowned DJs such as Per QX, Nic Fisher and Ralf Obergfell. UK DJ club collective,Horse Meat Disco, will also be pumping out exciting tracks in the hotel’s Spegelsalen, or pop downstairs to Berns’ own basement nightclub, Gallery 2.35:1 (open for one night in the summer only), for a live set from resident DJ Staffan Lindberg and DJ Boris -  a popular fixture of Berlin club life.

www.berns.se/en

-ENDS-

The above ideas are excerpts from the fabulous Gay and Lesbian Network blog, with the inside track on what’s hot in Stockholm for LGB people. To find out more, visit gaylesbian.visitstockholm.com or join the Facebook page at Facebook.com/gaylesbianstockholm

FOR MORE INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS, PRESS TRIPS, IMAGES etc, please contact Uwern Jong, Boutique Marketing, 0203 286 3170 - uwern@boutiquemarketing.co.uk