The horrendous act of violence committed in Orlando towards has resonated throughout the world. It seems impossible, in this day and age, so unreal in its cruelty and the sheer number of victims. The target of the killings somehow shatters our rose-tinted view of the world.
We thought we were over this shit.
A dark veil swept over the world when we were tumblring about feminism, instagraming our home made equality patches and tweeting about episodes of Transparent. Outside of our fantastic, diverse and loving part of the internet, friendships, and communities something was stirring. More and more countries turning away from the global community, a desire to close off outsiders. A shifting from the concept of strength together to a razor-sharp focus on self-interests. Politicians now openly spew bile only to gain as many followers as protesters. My stomach twists into knots when I consider how the world looks today, more so where it appears to be heading. The type of people gaining power, the people giving them power and the opinions that have been slowly seeping into the collective consciousness as being “ok”. Them vs. Us.
Exclusion.
It’s not ok.
Tolerance does not respond to complacency. We need to keep talking about these matters, about equality, diversity and the right for every human to be whoever the fuck they are, no matter what biological mould they were born into or what societal or religious norms say. We need to talk to those that do not agree with us. Escape our supportive community cocoons of acceptance and spreading this message further.
I wanted to share with you a special day from a year ago. It was my first ever time watching a Pride Festival, and I can still feel my cheeks tense up from how much it made me smile to watch it. I don’t know what will happen next month, when Stockholm Pride Festival 2016 takes place. If it will be louder and prouder, bigger and brighter. Or if fear, sadness and disbelief will strip the festival of its core. Either way, it will not stop. It will continue, because this is why we have it. To keep reminding people, to talk, to think and put and end to the shit that still takes place around the world. So that everyone can be in our cocoon. Accepted for who they are, and perhaps most importantly, safe.
I was actually working this day, but it being summer the tea shop closed early, so I had time to join the festivities from the side line. Many were watching from their windows, and everywhere you could see support from the locals in the form of flags and balloons. 
The mix of people participating both in the parade and on the side lines is remarkable. It just shows how far things have come from the first Pride Festival kicked off in 1970 in San Francisco. Sweden has held similar events since 1977 but the first official Pride Festival was in 1998.
From a bakery and dressed as Sweden’s favourite cake, prinsesstårta!
Dogs can be proud too!
A message I think we can all get behind!
Pride is for everyone, the hardrockers here are protesting racism, as Pride is for acceptance and tolerance of everyone
These two were my pick for best couple!
People from schools and the psychology association of Sweden. This girl’s dress made of cards stole my attention.
Rainbow Kurds
There were kids everywhere, these cuties were hanging from the rails.
In Swedish “Fack” means branch, so these guys are from a worker’s union. Loved this play on words.
I want this to be a thing. Glitter face/hair paired with white t-shirts.
This airport bus said “So proud I can’t even drive straight”
This photo deserves a zoom in…
A masked proud crocodile!!
She is pregnant and wearing the tardis!!
I can’t wait to see what fantastic this year will bring!