Supporting gay pride parades is just as important as defending the country according to the Swedish military.
A campaign launched by the Försvarsmakten (Swedish Armed Forces) declares that gay pride festivals are “more important than ever” and that they are one of the “core values” of the military in “uncertain times.”
In a statement the Swedish military asked: “There are those who claim that the Armed Forces have more important things to focus on right now than waving the Pride flag. Rights are pitted against each other and one wonders what is more important: a strong defense or everyone’s equal worth?”
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It continued: “For us, there is no contradiction. The task of the Armed Forces is to defend Sweden, everyone who lives here, our democracy and our rights. Because in the end, no one stands without rights and without protection”
Summit News reports: Effectively the Swedish military is saying that promoting gay prides parades is equally as important or even more important than defending Sweden from military attack by a foreign adversary.
Supreme Commander Micael Bydén, who has personally marched in gay pride parades, said one of the primary functions of the armed forces should be to show support for the LGBT movement.
“By participating in Pride, the Armed Forces want to show their tolerance for people’s differences in the country we are supposed to defend. That is why we are part of Pride,” he said.
Respondents to the campaign on Twitter weren’t too impressed.
“One only has to wonder what the military has to do in Pride. Other countries’ militaries are laughing at us. In case of invasion, how should the Pride flag help us?” asked one.
Others pointed out that the LGBT movement is overtly political, and that the military should therefore have no involvement with it, with one respondent labeling the connection “utterly reckless.”
“Pride is a left-wing politicized manifestation that has nothing to do with human rights. The military should not interfere with this. You must stand up for all of Sweden and defend the Swedish colors,” commented one person.
