After several hundred police reports against people who criticized his trans children’s book, author Petter Wallenberg has spent many hours in police interviews. There, he has recounted the threats and hate he claims to have been subjected to—and took the opportunity to hand over a copy of the book to the investigators.

On Tuesday, trans children’s book author Petter Wallenberg was once again called in for a police interview. The reason is the many police reports he himself has filed against people who criticized him in connection with his book “Among Dragons and Drag Queens.”

Wallenberg states that he and his colleagues have, for a long time, been exposed to threats and harsh insults. During the interrogation, he explained the situation to the police—and also handed over a copy of the book to the investigators.

– It’s great that the police are getting to the bottom of this, he said in a comment to TV4.

Tour with Fairy Tales in Drag Show Form

The book “Among Dragons and Drag Queens” is based on reinterpretations of classic fairy tales from a trans perspective. The stories have also served as the basis for a drag show performance of the same name, which has toured Sweden for nine years and targeted young children.

The performances have sparked criticism, including from people who believe the concept involves the sexualization of children. Petter Wallenberg, however, rejects this description and believes that much of the criticism has crossed the line into threats.

According to him, he and colleagues have been called, among other things, pedophiles, rapists, and sick. He also says he has personally been harassed and outed.

Many Hours in Police Interviews

In response to the attacks, Wallenberg chose to file police reports against a large number of individuals. In total, there are now around 200 reports.

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The large number of cases has meant that the author himself has had to spend a lot of time with the police.

– It’s absurd, he says.

“It’s Not About Sex”

During the interviews, he has also tried to explain his view on the intersection between drag shows and children’s culture. He does not believe that drag is about sexuality or that his book should be interpreted as any kind of sexual content for children.

– It’s not about sex.

At the same time, some critics have reacted to the fact that some of the storytellers have used stage names such as “Skamlösa vinhoran” (the Shameless Wine Whore), something they have considered inappropriate in contexts where children are the audience.

Several Court Proceedings

The conflict has also reached the courtrooms. Wallenberg states that he has so far testified in eight trials linked to the reports. He believes that much of the criticism is rooted in prejudice against drag and LGBTQ people.

– It’s bizarre that we have a court that seriously asks if there is any link between drag and pedophilia, and defense attorneys who say: “LGBTQ people really shouldn’t be allowed to perform for children.”

Low Rate of Convictions

Of the approximately 200 police reports, so far about ten percent have resulted in convictions—around 20 people have been found guilty of incitement against an ethnic group.

Despite the relatively low proportion, Wallenberg hopes that in the long term the reports will influence both authorities and public debate.

– More people should dare to report, the police should gain more knowledge, and politicians should start to act.