If you’ve watched my Instagram stories lately, you’ll already have seen many reasons why Stockholm is unbelievably queer friendly and a perfect LGBTQ+ travel destination. It’s an Open City in every sense of the word and it’s number one on my list of top LGBTQ+ friendly cities.
But what makes Stockholm so queer friendly? Is it the people, the culture, the activities? Well let me tell you it’s all of that and more!
Read on for the full list of 14 powerful reasons why Stockholm is unbelievably queer (or LGBTQIA+) friendly.
Stay tuned for a full guide to queer Stockholm coming very soon. But in the meantime, be sure to also check out my blog on How To Explore Stockholm On A Budget: The Ultimate Guide.
So without further ado, let’s dive in to the things that make Stockholm Queer friendly in every way.
14 Powerful Reasons Why Stockholm Is Unbelievably Queer Friendly
1. It’s Home To The Biggest LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration in Scandinavia
Stockholm is the home of the biggest Pride celebrations in Scandinavia. The inclusive queer friendly city has been celebrating Pride in the streets since 1998. Not to mention, its neighboring big-city Malmo was also the host of world pride last year, making Sweden an incredible destination to travel to for Pride. Stockholm Pride 2021 was one of the few pride events to actually take place in person this year. And Stockholm Pride 2022 is already gearing up to be an incredible event.
2. Stockholm Has Queer Friendly & Gender-Neutral Clothing Stores
When Stockholm says “gender neutral”, it means it. There are countless clothing stores in the main shopping areas (and everywhere) that are entirely gender neutral. And I’m not talking about a couple of over-sized T-shirts in the women’s section. The manikins, the branding, and everything inside is entirely gender neutral and suitable for all. Leave your social constructs at the door and dress to impress in this cosmopolitan and progressive city. Sweden is the home of many incredible designers after all. For a more in depth guide to unisex clothing stores and queer friendly Stockholm shopping check out this guide by Visit Sweden.
3. It’s Home To Trailblazing Legal Rights & Equality
While the legal rights and protections aren’t the only thing that makes a country inclusive, it certainly goes a long way to reflect the leadership and government in a destination.
Homosexuality was de-criminalised in 1944 in Sweden. For context, that’s 23 years before the UK and 59 years before the US Supreme Court! And it’s one of the 27 countries in the world that have legalised same-sex marriage. When visiting Stockholm, you can walk through the Parliament Buildings and see the place where a marriage bill was passed uncontested for the first time in history. It was thanks to the fact that the Swedish church voted unanimously in favour.
Trans equality in Sweden: Sweden also became the first country in the world to allow transgender people to change their legal gender post-sex reassignment surgery in 1972 and have allowed legal gender changes without hormone replacement therapy and sex reassignment surgery since 2013.
4. Stockholm Has Beautifully Diverse Queer Nightlife
Stockholm’s queer nightlife is thriving. So if partying is what you look for in a queer destination, you’re coming to the right place. Not only do they have a number of LGBTQ+ specific clubs and nights, the city is so welcoming you can truly party anywhere.
If you’re looking specifically for queer nightlife in Stockholm, check out The Secret Garden (a cosy eatery by day and club with DJs by night), Side Track (Stockholm’s oldest gay bar), Club Backdoor (massive venue with mutiple bars & rooms) and Klubb Moxy (a lesbian/ women’s only club night & events organiser).
I personally experienced my very first ladies night whilst in Stockholm, hosted by Moxy, who run a variety of nights throughout the year across different locations in Stockholm.
5. The Swedish Language Introduced Gender Neutral Pronouns
It’s not just the products that they sell that are gender neutral, but the Swedish language even has a dedicated gender neutral pronoun. Sweden added a gender-neutral pronoun, hen, to its dictionary in 2012, and it’s since become part of everyday usage. Two years later, the Swedish Academy (responsible for awarding the Nobel Prize in literature) added it to their dictionary. Nowadays its the default pronoun of choice for Swedish speakers and fully integrated into the daily language.
6. It’s The Birthplace of Queer Icons – ABBA
Okay, so they are not queer themselves, but no list about Stockholm is complete without mentioning the Swedish icons – ABBA. Tell me you’ve ever been to a gay nightclub and NOT heard at least one ABBA classic play during the night. (Dancing Queen anyone?) ABBA has to be one of Sweden’s biggest exports throughout history, and in honour of this, you can visit the ABBA Museum in the centre of Stockholm.
The ABBA museum gift shop even has a Pride themed range of merchandise, from which proceeds go to support The Rainbow Foundation, Sweden’s largest LGBT charity.
7. Stockholm Has Gender Neutral Restrooms Everywhere
I know that there is so much more to being a queer friendly destination then the never-ending bathroom debate. But in this case, Stockholm truly gets it right. There are gender-neutral restrooms everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Not just in the Queer bars or the occasional café, but in the museums, major tourist attractions, high-end restaurants and more. It’s so refreshing to see, and I wish the whole world was more like Stockholm.
8. There Is A Queer Friendly & Gender Neutral Fragrance Brand
It doesn’t stop at clothing, Stockholm is also the home to the incredibly inspiring gender neutral fragrance line Byredo. We were lucky enough to meet the folk who work in the flagship store in Stockholm and hear a little bit about the brand during our trip. I was in complete awe. Every fragrance and scent in their range of perfumes, body sprays, lotions and more is based on an experience or a moment, not for a specific gender. As someone who uses a fragrance with “for him” on the front, this had me immediately obsessed! Whether you prefer a softer floral scent, or oak-y whiskey tones, they will help you find the perfect match.
I cannot get enough of them, and I was so excited to discover that they are also stocked in Edinburgh store near my home when my visit to Stockholm was over!
9. Sweden Has a History of (rumoured to be) Queer Royalty
It’s true, there multiple members of the royal family from throughout Swedish history who are rumoured to have been LGBTQ+.
The royalty who are rumoured to have been LGBTQ+ include King Christina. Yes, you read that right. She was known as King Christina (partly due to the archaic rules at the time that only a male heir could take the thrown). Christina of Sweden is recorded in history as having worn mostly “mens” clothing, been vocally against marriage and been incredible close to many of her female handmaidens. There is also record of some “beyond-platonic”letters that she would write to other women. If that doesn’t scream LGBTQIA+… I don’t know what does!
10. (And) The Present Day Swedish Monarch Are LGBTQ+ Allies
In more present day, Crown Princess Victoria is an incredible, vocal and active ally for the LGBTQ+ community. She even filmed a video discussing how passionately she feels about achieving LGBTQ+ equality, not just for Sweden, but globally. And in 2021, Sweden went a step even further, confirming that same-sex marriage would not prohibit a monarch or an heir to the throne from retaining their right to rule (read more on that here).
Imagine a city with such an LGBTQ+ friendly monarch that I was confidently taking this picture inside the Royal Palace… while the actual KING OF SWEDEN was somewhere in the building!
11. There Are Rainbows Everywhere In Stockholm
Something I love most about Stockholm and its brilliant queerness, is the fact that there is not one particular Gaybourhood, but rather you can find rainbow flags and rainbows throughout the entire city.
Whether on the wall of a high-end restaurant or in the shop window in the retail district. Rainbows are subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) everywhere. It’s so embedded in the Stockholm way of life to be inclusive of everyone and to be an Open City, that there isn’t such a need for a dedicated gay-bar or gaybourhood.
Fun fact: Opened in 1997, Chokladkoppen in Gamla Stan was the first establishment in Sweden to publicly fly a pride flag.
12. Stockholm Has Trans Representation In Government
While I was exploring everything that makes Stockholm wonderfully queer friendly, I accidentally timed my visit with some incredible history. While there (Nov 2021) I was lucky enough to witness not only their first female prime minister being voted in, but the first transgender government minister being selected too. Sweden’s new Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson named Lina Axelsson Kihlblom as her cabinet’s Schools Minister, making history. When I say that Stockholm is LGBTQ+ inclusive, I don’t just mean it’s LG inclusive. The city truly strives to be open for absolutely everyone.
To hear a lived-experience perspective of Stockholm as a trans-inclusive destination, check out my friend @MissJulieVu’s Instagram Highlights.
13. There Are Queer / Lesbian Statues in Stockholm… And More Than One
More than once while walking around Stockholm, we saw art work and sculptures depicting two women together. In a world that often erases LGBTQ+ history, its amazing to see queer women from throughout history being memorialised. This statue pictured is in memory of two women who lived together for many years in Stockholm, before meeting a sad ending. And in the gorgeous Millesgarden, there is another statue of two women dancing (just gals being pals… you know) plus some amazing queer artwork to be purchased in the gift shop.
14. Stockholm Is The Open City
To round off this list of top reasons Stockholm is so queer friendly, we must mention the city’s motto and the mantra that it lives by. Stockholm prides itself in being an open city in every sense of the word. Open to all, for all. It’s inclusive, it’s accessible and it’s ready to explore.
… I don’t know who you love, what you just can’t stand, if you’re rich, poor or somewhat in between. If you’re a man, woman or somewhat in between. I don’t even know how you feel about me. If you love me, hate me or if you haven’t made up your mind. You are welcome anyhow, just as you are, with your dreams, beliefs, doubts, and preconceptions...So why don’t you come visit me soon? Consider this as your open invitation, you are always welcome here.
– An Open Letter, From An Open City
If Stockholm wasn’t on your list of ultimate Queer destinations before, I hope that it is now!
Thank you to Stockholm LGBT for inviting me to explore Stockholm and discover all the things that make it a queer friendly destination. All opinions in the post are authentically my own.
For more information, be sure to check out www.stockholmlgbt.com and www.visitstockholm.com
