A politician for the Moderate Party in Stockholm’s Täby municipality has had his political assignments suspended until the election, and his future within the party is uncertain. This follows statements about the culture group Bland Drakar och Dragqueens (Among Dragons and Drag Queens), where men dress as women and participate in story readings and other performances for children.

The background is comments that Täby Moderate Peter Wölger posted on social media after the group’s performance in Ängsholmsparken at the end of June.

The performance “Lilla Jag och Drakarnas Drottning” (“Little Me and Queen of the Dragons”) was criticized by Wölger, who described drag as “a phenomenon intended for adults that cannot simply be transferred to children.” He further described drag as a caricature of women, who according to him were portrayed as “oversexualized” and “mega-busted.”

The theater group responded to the comment by calling Peter Wölger “dirty old man” (“gubbslem”). The Moderate then wrote that the group would not be allowed to hold further performances in Täby.

The statements sparked strong reactions from the LGBTQI community. Among others, Petter Wallenberg, the founder of Bland Drakar och Dragqueens, criticized the Moderate politician.

READ ALSO: The penalty for an ‘opinion offense’ against drag queen storytellers: Over 1,000 kronor per word

He argued that it is particularly serious because Wölger at the same time holds a political position that gives him influence over which players get a place in the public cultural life.

Peter Wölger / Petter Wallenberg with drag queen colleagues. Photo: Moderaterna / Johannes Helje

Top Moderate: “He has been reprimanded – is deeply remorseful”

The local division of the Moderates in Täby then distanced themselves from the statements. On August 3, the party chair Stefan Oesman called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation.

READ ALSO: Street preacher said that drag queen priest will go to hell – convicted

After the meeting, it was decided that Peter Wölger would take a timeout from his party assignments until the election on September 13. Oesman stated that they “had to” handle the matter regarding Wölger after his comments on drag queens.

– The comment was unfortunate and inappropriate, he has been reprimanded and he is remorseful, said Stefan Oesman to Mitti.

This was also stated by Erik Andersson (M), chairman of the municipal executive board in Täby, who clarified that the Moderates do not support any form of criticism against “the free culture.”

– Those are opinions that are his own and not something we as a political party stand behind, Andersson told Mitti.

Moderate Chair Stefan Oesman / Ulf Kristersson. Photo: Facsimile Facebook

The Sanction Welcomed – Now the Politicians Will Be Schooled

Petter Wallenberg is positive that the Moderates in Täby have chosen to take action. According to him, what has happened is “much bigger than a politician posting some comments on social media.”

The drag queen director, who works actively to have his group read stories in, among other places, libraries for children across the country, believes that the Moderate “participated in a hate storm that aims to break us down.”

On Monday, representatives of Bland Drakar och Dragqueens and Täby Moderates met to talk about what happened. For Wallenberg, the meeting was also an opportunity to discuss how the situation could lead to increased knowledge.

– I plan to return to Täby and educate politicians about anti-LGBTQI attitudes. I see it as an opportunity to turn hate into knowledge, Wallenberg told Mitti.

READ ALSO: SD politician criticized drag queen storytellers – convicted of “incitement against an ethnic group”

The Moderates’ chairman in Täby, Stefan Oesman, says he welcomes the initiative from the drag queen group to school the municipality’s politicians. According to Oesman, there is a need for increased knowledge on the issue.

The Moderate Politician May Be Expelled

Peter Wölger’s future within the Moderates is still undecided. The timeout lasts until the election, but the party has not yet decided how his assignments will be distributed thereafter.

It is therefore still possible that Wölger will lose his assignments after having critically commented on the drag queen troupe’s plans for performances for children.

READ ALSO: SD politician convicted of incitement against an ethnic group – criticized the Pride flag

During the Pride event in Stockholm, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the Moderate Party leadership made a strong appearance. In the video, Kristersson is seen cycling while several ministers walk behind him.