In the capital, the red-green government is currently focusing on solving major societal problems – at least if you listen to MP top member Lars Strömgren and their focus on more “rainbow-colored pedestrian crossings” but also street paintings with LGBTQI themes. The investment, the cost of which the politicians themselves cannot even specify, is supposed to show that Stockholm is a city for everyone.
Stockholm is governed by the Social Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green Party. With one year left until the election, the government wants LGBTQI themes to become more visible in the cityscape by allowing the colors of the rainbow to be seen on more streets, squares, and parks.
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Part of the plan is to color more pedestrian crossings in the colors of the rainbow, as well as benches and other street paintings with LGBTQI themes.
“We want to fill the capital with the colors of the rainbow”
According to traffic commissioner Lars Strömgren (MP), the investment is about both visibility and manifesting the city’s values.
“Stockholm is fighting for the right to express its love, sexuality, and identity. We want that to be more visible on our streets and squares. We want to fill the capital with the colors of the rainbow,” says the MP top member.
The city’s first rainbow pedestrian crossing was painted in 2022 on Hantverkargatan. It has temporarily been replaced by a white version during the autumn asphalt work, but will return in the spring. Then it should not be alone.
“The plan is for several rainbow-colored pedestrian crossings to meet the spring on the city’s streets. In this way, we get new pedestrian crossings with clear and fresh colors, well in time for Stockholm Pride. We are also looking at rainbow-colored benches and street paintings with LGBTQI themes,” says Strömgren.
However, it is not yet decided exactly which places are first in line. It is also unclear what the investment will cost. It is something that Lars Strömgren (MP) does not know and answers nonchalantly.
“It still fits within what we have as a budget for the whole year,” says Strömgren to the state radio.
Split political reception
The opposition has reacted differently to the investment. The Liberals support the idea and have made a similar addition in their own budget where the party wants to invest two million SEK in the setup. Several other parties on the right side, however, reject the initiative completely, something that is also evident in their budget presentations.
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“It is positive that the Liberals continue to stand up for an open city. We have a great consensus when it comes to working for human rights. However, it becomes clear that the right-wing parties are as divided in Stockholm as they are at the national level,” says Strömgren.
“We must fight for freedom”
In parallel with the visible markings in the cityscape, extensive educational efforts are being made. Every school and preschool should carry out a diploma education focusing on the rights of LGBTQI people. In addition, the city has tripled its financial support for Stockholm Pride.
“We work to ensure that Stockholm’s activities are safe and inclusive for everyone. At the same time, it is obvious that symbols also have great significance. This is proven not least by the hatred directed at the rainbow flag. We must fight for freedom and the right to love, in the classrooms as well as on the streets,” says Strömgren.
The plan is for the first of next year’s rainbow markings to meet the people of Stockholm already in the spring.
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