Moderate Party Politician Faces Backlash Over Pride Video in Umeå

Elmer Eriksson, a Moderate Party politician involved in senior activities and a Västerbotten regional representative, posted a video of the 2026 Umeå Pride parade on Facebook. The video attracted over 200,000 views but was met with a flood of hateful comments, numbering over 1,000. Due to the overwhelming volume of negativity requiring moderation, Eriksson removed the post. He expressed his dismay to SVT Nyheter Västerbotten, stating, "It is so cruel that I don't want to comment on the comments." Despite poor weather conditions, the Umeå Pride parade saw participation from several thousand people. Pride celebrations were also held in other parts of Västerbotten, including Dorotea, with approximately 60 participants, and Sorsele, which hosted its first Pride parade with around 100 attendees. This incident underscores the social and political tensions surrounding Pride events in Sweden as they continue to gain visibility and support in various communities.