Sweden Democrats Politician Convicted for Hate Speech Against Drag Queens
A former Sweden Democrats politician has been convicted for hate speech after comparing drag queens to pedophiles on Facebook, amid ongoing disputes over hate speech and LGBTQ+ rights in Sweden.
- • A former Sweden Democrats politician in Sjuhärad was convicted for hate speech due to comments comparing drag queens to pedophiles.
- • The politician denies writing the comments but was fined by the court.
- • Over 100 police reports have been made regarding similar hateful comments against the theater group 'Bland drakar och dragqueens.'
- • A previous Växjö district court ruling acquitted a man of hate speech charges for related comments, marking legal complexities in such cases.
Key details
A former municipal politician from the Sweden Democrats (SD) in Sjuhärad has been convicted of hate speech for derogatory comments made about drag queens on Facebook. The court found that the politician had compared drag queens to pedophiles, a statement that sparked widespread attention and controversy. Despite this conviction, the individual denies having written the comments. He has been ordered to pay fines for the offense.
This conviction comes against a backdrop of increased scrutiny concerning the rhetoric used by some political figures against LGBTQ+ communities in Sweden. Over one hundred police reports have been submitted regarding similar hateful comments and threats, particularly targeting the theater group 'Bland drakar och dragqueens.' Additionally, five politicians have been reported for offensive remarks made within municipal motions and debates.
In a related legal development earlier this year, the Växjö district court acquitted a man charged with hate speech for similar comments. The court determined that drag queens primarily constitute artists rather than a protected group under hate speech legislation, highlighting the nuances and complexities in how Swedish courts interpret these cases.
The recent conviction underscores ongoing tensions and legal challenges in balancing freedom of expression with protections against hate speech. It highlights a growing discourse on the responsibilities of public figures and the legal boundaries concerning derogatory comments about marginalized groups. This case forms part of a broader trend examining political conduct and language concerning the LGBTQ+ community in Sweden.
The convicted politician’s case emphasizes that courts are willing to impose penalties for hate speech, despite denials and contentious debates around the definition and scope of such legislation. The broader social and political reaction reflects a heightened alertness to and condemnation of discriminatory rhetoric in Swedish society.