Orthodox Christians" target EuroPride churches

saratiddyWed 30/07/08 16:27

A pastor in Stockholm has revealed that three Lutheran churches in the city have been targeted by vandals, apparently because they are supporting EuroPride.

The gay event is being held in the Swedish capital this week.

"Yesterday morning we discovered that our church had been covered in flyers with texts saying that homosexuality was wrong . Two other churches in Stockholm also had the same thing," the pastor of one of the churches, Gunilla Linden, told AFP.

"There were direct references to Europride, but also against female pastors and loud music and dancing."

Her church is hosting a EuroPride information tent in the grounds.

None of the churches was damaged. Instead flyers from a group calling themselves "Orthodox Christians" were scattered around the grounds and attached to the exterior of the buildings.

The Swedish Church, a Lutheran branch of Christianity, claims more than 7 million members out of a population of 9 million.

The flyers have been reported to Stockholm police, who have had two incidents of homophobic violence to deal with in the last four days.

In the early hours of this morning two gay men were attacked outside a 7-Eleven store at 4.20am.

Their three assailants mocked their sexuality and mentioned EuroPride.

A late night attack on a gay couple on Sunday was also deemed homophobic in nature - one of the men was stabbed in the stomach.

Article: www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8552.html

saratiddyWed 30/07/08 16:29

(Second homophobic assault in Stockholm linked to EuroPride

Police in the Swedish capital Stockholm have said that an assault on two men in the early hours of this morning was a hate crime.

The men were attacked outside a 7-Eleven store in the city at 4.20am.

"Three men approached them saying humiliating things and then started to assault them without provocation.

"They mentioned the Pride festival and that the men were gay," said a Stockholm police spokesperson, reports The Local.se.

Three men, aged between 17 and 20, were arrested shortly after on suspicion of carrying out the homophobic attack.

A late night attack on a gay couple on Sunday was also deemed homophobic in nature - one of the men was stabbed in the stomach.

17,000 people are in the Swedish capital for EuroPride 2008.

The 'Swedish Sin, Breaking Borders' themed event has attracted members of the LGBT community from across the world.

Europride began on Friday at the Skansen open-air museum with a popular sing-along event.

Over ten days, there will be special film screenings, museum exhibitions, seminars and parties.

There will be special appearances by Sweden's EU Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmstrom,

Indian Prince Mavendra Singh Gohil and gender science professor Tiina Rosenberg.

More than 100,000 are expected to take part in the parade on Saturday.

There will be gay choirs, teacher's unions, political parties, emergency services and even gay allotment gardeners.)I

Article: www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8546.html

saratiddyWed 30/07/08 16:31

Stockholm police confirm stabbing of gay man was a hate crime

Police in Stockholm have said that an attack on two gay men late last night is being investigated as a hate crime.

"Two homosexual men were stopped by three men and asked directions," Stockholm police spokeswoman Towe Haegg told AFP.

"The three asked them about their sexuality and then stole their mobile phones and money.

"One of them was then stabbed in the stomach."

The couple, who are 25 and 30, were targeted because they are gay, the police added.

17,000 people are in the Swedish capital for EuroPride 2008.

The 'Swedish Sin, Breaking Borders' themed event has attracted members of the LGBT community from across the world.

Europride began on Friday at the Skansen open-air museum with a popular sing-along event.

Over ten days, there will be special film screenings, museum exhibitions, seminars and parties.

There will be special appearances by Sweden's EU Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmstrom, Indian Prince Mavendra Singh Gohil and gender science professor Tiina Rosenberg.

More than 100,000 are expected to take part in the parade on Saturday. There will be gay choirs, teacher's unions, political parties, emergency services and even gay allotment gardeners.

The Swedish fire brigade will be at the parade for the first time.

The 2006 EuroPride parade in London attracted 500,000 spectators.

Article: www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8514.html

saratiddyWed 30/07/08 16:33

To have so many attacks and incidents leading upto EuroPride, it does make you wonder what homophobic activities are planned for the main event. Is it me, are these types of incidents increasing or are they being better publicised?

think.upWed 30/07/08 16:42

It does sound a bit orchestrated, doesn't it?

But by whom?

People who rob and stab strangers in the street don't strike me as the sort who would take the trouble to fly-post Lutheran churches with bills which (excuse me) give themselves away as not being from Orthodox Christians at all.

They might be from rabid fundamentalists, but the Orthodox lot are not prone to fly posting etc at all. They just ignore the rest of us. Using the Orthdox word suggests to me that they're not familiar with any church at all.

I wonder if this is an extreme right-wing thing? Sounds more probable to me...