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full screen Photo: Robin Bäckman
Jan Jönsson protests against the Sweden Democrats – by once again dressing as a drag queen.
The Stockholm politician and the L-top plan to wear the outfit during the pride parade in Stockholm.
– The Sweden Democrats have shown contempt for the whole drag culture, says Jönsson.
Hatred and threats against LGBTQ people and drag queens in particular have increased since the change of government, according to Jan Jönsson. He links the development to the Sweden Democrats’ increasingly loud protests against the phenomenon. To mark against SD, and others who criticize drag queens, he will dress as one during the pride parade.
– There have been a lot of jumps from the Sweden Democrats. For example, that they want to ban storytimes held by drag queens, says Jönsson.
He also mentions SD’s criticism of the feature with a drag queen during the opening of the Olympics. Criticism has, among other things, come from the SD leader in the EU, Charlie Weimers.
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full screen Jan Jönsson (L). Photo: Carolina Byrmo/TT
Threatened himself
Jönsson bases the fact that hatred and threats have increased on conversations with contacts in the drag movement. Jönsson was also exposed after his last campaign when he dressed in tracksuits.
– The Sweden Democrats are most active in the debate in Sweden, also with mocking and criticizing. At the municipal level, they are trying to ban activities such as story time, there has also been talk of parents who let their children go to story time being reported to social services. My criticism is aimed at anyone who is intolerant, says Jönsson.
What do you hope to achieve with this?
– I hope that it puts the focus on having and threats against drag queens is a problem and that it limits people’s freedom. We don’t want that in Sweden, or anywhere else either.
Get professional help
Do you see any risk that you yourself will receive criticism from “real” drag queens?
– We have discussed that issue thoroughly. Drag is a cultural expression. Cultural practice is for everyone to do as they wish, just as I can choose to play the clarinet or theater. But I can’t do this without the help of a professional drag artist.
Jan Jönsson will be helped to dress by a professional drag show artist. He will be leading the way in the Liberal section of the parade. During the week, he will also participate in seminars and debates with other politicians.
How do you feel when you’ve dressed up as a drag queen?
– You press the whole body together with a corset. It’s like a torture device. It hurts terribly, but it also spreads a lot of joy.
Aftonbladet has asked the Sweden Democrats for comment on Jönsson’s criticism.