Sweden has always been one of the most friendliest LGBT countries in the world. Since it legalized homosexuality way back in 1944 it has been at the forefront of LGBT rights, passing an anti-discrimination law in 1987 and then adopting same sex marriages in 2009. No wonder when ELSKA hit up Stockholm the countries capital city they found a wonderfully happy gay community that is quite chilled ……but that’s not such a surprise with that wintry Scandinavian weather.
Swedish men also have something of a reputation for being somewhat reserved but Liam Campbell Elska’s photographer/editor didn’t come across that when he searched out local gay men who would like to be featured in the latest edition of the bookzine. As usual Campbell was looking to recruit a diverse selection of everyday guys to tell their stories and be photographed in their natural habitat. Despite the snow on the ground, there was no shortage of men happy to discard some of their clothing which always makes Elska that much more enjoyable
Some of the men in the Stockholm issue include:
• Linus L, who talks about what good can come from ledng go of self-consciousness and preconceptions;
• Albin H, who recounts the moment when he finally came to accept himself for his ‘faults’, and to view what he thought was a negative as a positive;
• Martin FJ, who confronts his indifference towards relationships amer a night spent with one more guy from a hook-up app;
• Andreas S, who wonders if he’s the ‘wrong type of gay’ or if it’s OK to just be himself;
• Patrik G, who looks back at the rise, fall, and re-emergence of LGBTQ culture in Stockholm;
• Mathis F, who speaks of the frustrating duality of a city that contains so much beauty and a fair amount of misery as well.
‘Elska Stockholm’ is 200 pages and is available in a classic collectable print version or in a downloadable e-version. A companion zine called ‘Elska Ekstra Stockholm’ which contains ot[akes and behind the scenes tales is also available. A list of stockists and details of how to order online can be found on the Elska website: www.elskamagazine.com.
