Rainbow Riots founder Petter Wallenberg and his drag theatre company Bland Drakar och Dragqueens (“Amongst dragons and dragqueens”) have been invited to hold a seminar for the country’s politicians in the Swedish Parliament. ![]()
![]()
The seminar is being organized in collaboration with Civil Rights Defenders, Jan Jönsson, City Councilor in Stockholm (L), Ulrika Westerlund (MP), and Anna Starbrink (L) from the LGBTQI network in Parliament. ![]()
![]()
“Now we can’t fight alone anymore,” says Petter Wallenberg, founder and director of “Bland Drakar och Dragqueens.” “We want the country’s politicians to stand behind us in the fight against hatred. Therefore, for the first time, we will share our experiences of hate and threats in the Swedish Parliament.”![]()
![]()
The theatre company “Bland Drakar och Dragqueens” established the phenomenon of storytelling shows for children performed by drag performers in Sweden and is the largest in the genre in the entire Nordic region. Since 2017, they have been touring the country and performing up to 200 shows a year. ![]()
![]()
But they also face substantial amounts of hate and threats. For several years, they have been targeted by a series of Nazi attacks, and they have endured long periods of online hate storms. Recently, they filed a police report against 106 individuals for hate crimes. The case is currently being investigated by the police’s hate crime unit. ![]()
![]()
Photo: Studio Johannes Helje![]()
![]()
With support from Myndigheten för ungdoms- och civilsamhällesfrågor, MUCF
In Uganda, being LGBT is not only stigmatized but also illegal, creating a challenging environment for the LGBTIQ community. To address the pressing issues, we recently organized a workshop aimed at raising awareness about the effects of Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) .![]()
![]()
We discussed strategies to better manage the stress, anxiety, and depression that often arise from societal stigma and legal threats related to living in a country's that criminalises us for who we are.![]()
![]()
Through dialogue, shared experiences, and support, we can grow stronger and advocate for equality by sharing our stories with the wider world.![]()
![]()
With funding Svenska institutettutet
Our new human rights project is underway in Uganda. With creativity at the core of our working methods, we enable a higher level of diversity and inclusivity within the community whilst also reaching a wider audience outside the community. We believe that arts and culture can change the world because they can change people’s attitudes. Stop the hatred towards LGBT people now! 🏳️🌈![]()
![]()
Project funded by Svenska institutet
In Uganda a new law makes it a crime to be LGBT. We in Rainbow Riots want to change this and we start by empowering Uganda’s LGBT community. ![]()
![]()
Therefore, over two days, we have organised workshops with legal training to help Ugandan LGBT people learn how to navigate around safety and security challenges at this difficult time. By knowing and understanding the law we can protect our community. ![]()
![]()
Despite these challenges, many members demonstrated a remarkable resilience, passionately advocating for the importance of using their voices to express their messages to the wider world. Watch this space! We will not give up! 🏳️🌈![]()
![]()
Project funded by Svenska institutet
Message from Rainbow Riots founder Petter Wallenberg:![]()
![]()
Happy Stockholm Pride! 🌈🌈🌈![]()
![]()
Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the rights and freedoms we’ve achieved while also marching for those who can’t. This Pride, let’s remember those who are still punished simply for being who they are or loving who they love.![]()
![]()
This is me and my friend Alicia from Uganda, whom I have known and worked with since my very first trip to Uganda nine years ago. In Uganda, being LGBT is illegal, and the consequences can be dire—ranging from violence to a potential death penalty under a new Anti Gay law.![]()
![]()
I will never forget the harrowing experience in 2016 when I, Alicia and group of people were held hostage as Ugandan police stormed Pride Uganda, armed with machine guns. We were detained for hours, trapped in a nightmare where all I could hear were people crying. It was during that terrifying night that I decided to start my nonprofit organization Rainbow Riots, to fight for LGBT rights around the word.![]()
![]()
Today, I am proud to share that Alicia has escaped Uganda and now lives in Europe, free to be her true self. Meanwhile, Rainbow Riots continues our operations in Uganda. One of our proudest accomplishments has been the establishment of Uganda’s first LGBT community center—a safe haven for those in need of refuge.![]()
![]()
I am excited to announce that we are currently working on a new project to challenge the Anti-Gay Laws in Uganda. Stay tuned for updates, as our fight for justice and equality continues! Once again, Happy Pride! 💖✊✨![]()
![]()
📷 Studio Johannes Helje![]()
![]()
#pride #lgbt #rainbowriots #petterwallenberg #lgbtuganda
