It’s no surprise that Stockholm is considered such a progressive city for LGBT rights. From hosting one of the largest pride festivals in the world to being the 7th country to legalize same sex marriage in 2009, Sweden has been one of the leading countries in the world, paving the way for a more inclusive society.
According to the 2015 Eurobarometer, 90% of Swedes are in favor of the legalization of same sex marriage across Europe. That’s an astounding number, considering Latvia and Russia scored an 89% and 88% respectively opposing same sex marriage across Europe.
In Sweden, many laws are in place protecting members of the LGBT community against discrimination ranging from adoption, to employment, and even donating blood.
So what makes Stockholm so appealing for LGBT travelers? Sweden has been ahead of the game when it comes to LGBT rights for a long time, so you will find that the LGBT community has integrated into society extremely well throughout the country.
Heads don’t turn when you walk down the street with a significant other. People don’t look twice if you decide to show some PDA at a dance club. Your server doesn’t bat an eye when you dine together. In fact, Stockholm has one of the lowest crime rates against LGBT+ people in all of Europe.
Welcome To Gay Stockholm – The Open City
The astounding theme here is acceptance. Acceptance of the LGBT lifestyle and its differences from a straight lifestyle, acceptance of the struggles non-straight identifying people have faced, and acceptance into a society where you’re free to be who you want. Acceptance is what makes Stockholm the ideal gay destination.
This theme of acceptance paired with the progressiveness of the city (and let’s not forget the trendiness, greenery, phenomenal food, and ABBA’s role in both pop and gay culture) create a safe haven for LGBT travelers from all walks of life.
Stockholm doesn’t have a ‘gayborhood’ per say, but it honestly doesn’t need one. You will find plenty of gay establishments scattered around the 14 islands that make up Sweden’s capital.
Södermalm is considered among the top LGBT areas in Stockholm, with LGBT friendly restaurants, hotels, bars, and nightclubs scattered within a 15 minute walk from each other. I had the pleasure of staying at The Rival, a trendy and uber gay-friendly boutique hotel in the most fabulous part of Stockholm.
Just a short walk from The Rival, I was also able to walk right into to the famous old town known as Gamla Stan.
With every step through Gamla Stan, you could feel the history emanating from each brick that paves the long history of Stockholm. Boutique shops and cafes lined the cobblestone streets throughout the area, and tourists and locals mingled seamlessly at the bars studded around the Old Town.
Continuing through my exploration of Stockholm, I got to experience the ease felt from fellow members of the LGBT community around me first hand. It was both humbling and phenomenal to experience acceptance in such a pure form.
I instantly reminded myself that many members of the LGBT community don’t have access to a safe environment like Stockholm to be who they are. It was this moment I understood why Stockholm is known as ‘The Open City’.
As I continued my journey traversing gay Stockholm, I noticed pride flags flown in some cafe windows like Chokkoladkoppen. It isn’t necessary to have a pride flag flown, but it is always a positive experience to see one and be reminded of its meaning. It is amazing to know that Stockholm is still standing up for LGBT awareness, even though it is already such an advanced city.
Despite being a progressive city, Stockholm understands that the fight for equality is far from over. The Open City knows that we as a society have a long way to come, even though Stockholm is safe haven for travelers of all walks of life.
You can sense the empathy Stockholm has regarding struggles many LGBT people have faced around the world, and feel safe knowing that Stockholm has worked to create a society where all are equal.
From organizations like Visit Stockholm and Stockholm LGBT, to different brands and tour groups like StandOut Travel and Hope, the city prides itself on focusing on inclusion. From gender equality to trans rights, you can see and feel the work put in by organizations throughout the city the moment you set foot into Stockholm.
It wasn’t hard to fall in love with gay Stockholm. The humbling yet livening vibes felt throughout the culture and Swedish people were a testament to how far we have come as a society in LGBT equality. I urge you to experience it for yourself.
I would love it if you pinned this to your Europe travel board!
