West Pride Parade 2019, Gothenburg, Sweden

Embedded in the several days long West Pride Festival in Gothenburg, the Parade was as usual the highlight. Some 15 000 people are believed to have participated . They came from all walks of LOVE, united in marching for the right to choose your partner freely, without the fear of discrimination and persecution. One doesn't have to travel far from Gothenburg, say, 1-2 hours by plane, to reach countries where the values the Pride Festival stands for are not welcome. Worse, the mere expression of such values can be regarded as an act of indecency and likely land you in jail. And - easy to forget - a timetrip of only two decades would lead to similar consequences in this country.
Tolerance is essential for a living democracy and should only grind to a full stop when conduct or extreme attitude infringe on the legitimate rights of others.
In case you wonder: Is the Pride-phenomenon totally uncontroversial in Sweden? Officially: Yes. Most politcal parties, many bodies of power, police, health + social authorities, trade unions, large companies, churches, universities, organization etc. give their active and participating backing. The event as such has arrived at Mainstream. But critical voices can be heard. And not just from the (sizable!) homophobic part of the population. Even from "within" certain aspects of the festivals are discussed controversially. Points made inlude these: Too much leeway for Feminism of the disdainful, man-hating type, tendencies towards vulgarity and obscenity, exhibitionism stealing the show from the serious and sober issues, doubts about the evolution of the rainbow symbolism from a general multicultural meaning to a more specific "gay" significance.
All these and other issues will and should never be at rest in a democracy. The main leap forward is this: Millions and millions of people worldwide live happier, more fulfilled lives when the shackles of religious and social intolerance are put away with. This is a good reason to celebrate. In this sense, thumbs up for PRIDE!