{"id":1276,"date":"2025-04-28T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=1276"},"modified":"2025-04-29T13:06:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T13:06:19","slug":"i-went-to-pride-at-the-north-pole-even-santas-an-ally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/i-went-to-pride-at-the-north-pole-even-santas-an-ally\/","title":{"rendered":"I went to Pride at the North Pole \u2014 even Santa\u2019s an ally"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Left,\t<\/div>
Rovaniemi is the fourth stop on Calum McSwiggan\u2019s journey to Pride on seven continents (Picture: Calum McSwiggan\/Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cold bites at my toes as I try to navigate the darkness, the temperature plummeting into negative double digits as I weave through snow-dusted trees. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s the first night of Arctic<\/a> Pride<\/a>, and, according to the map, the welcome party should be right here. I\u2019d expected some secluded bar or cozy arctic tavern, but instead I\u2019m stood at the edge of a frozen river, with nothing but a vast expanse of white running out to the horizon.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m just about to give up and turn back when something suddenly charges me. A flash of white fur and teeth as the creature sets upon me.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s not some ferocious arctic wolf, but rather a playful husky and her very apologetic owner. <\/p>\n

\u2018She\u2019s just a pup,\u2019 she says, saving me from the onslaught of kisses. \u2018Are you looking for the Pride event? It\u2019s this way.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DHyjOqgRI8o\/?hl=en<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The party is hidden inside laavu<\/em>, a tiny wooden hut equipped with a fire pit. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s half covered and half exposed to the elements, with a single rainbow flag shivering in the icy wind. A small group of no more than a dozen huddle together inside as I\u2019m offered hot cocoa and a munkii<\/em>, a cardamom doughnut that\u2019s warmed for me over the fire. <\/p>\n

I\u2019m told we\u2019re waiting for the sky to put on its Pride parade, and sure enough, after an hour of sharing stories, we\u2019re treated to the soft rainbow colours of the Northern Lights<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tJoin Metro’s LGBTQ+ community on WhatsApp\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel<\/a> is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n

Simply\u00a0click on this link<\/a><\/strong>, select \u2018Join Chat\u2019 and you\u2019re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

I\u2019m dedicating this year to visiting Pride all over the world<\/a>, and having come from the enormous party that is Sydney Mardi Gras<\/a>, the Finnish<\/a> town of Rovaniemi is quite the contrast.<\/p>\n

Sitting atop the Arctic Circle, the capital of Lapland is famous for sleigh dogs and reindeer, and being the place that Santa Claus<\/a> officially calls home. It just goes to show, there really are LGBT<\/a>+ people everywhere. Even here, playing neighbour to Jolly Old Saint Nick.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
Calum meets Santa Claus at his home in the polar north (Picture: Calum McSwiggan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arctic Pride hosts a full week of events \u2013 the calendar is eclectic, full of things like salsa classes and burlesque nights, things I\u2019d have never expected to find in the polar north<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I attend everything from a roller disco to a life drawing class where attendees are invited to illustrate a local drag artist. It\u2019s brilliantly diverse, though after just a few days there, something unusual becomes apparent. The events are almost exclusively attended by queer women.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s well known within the LGBT+ community that queer events tend to be dominated by gay men \u2013 but here, at the northern edge of the world, it seems to be the opposite. <\/p>\n

Perhaps naively, I hope this is a sign of a move towards gender equality \u2013 but after talking to locals, I learn the reason is more sinister.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve grown up in this community surrounded almost exclusively by queer women,\u2019 one gay man, who wishes to remain anonymous, tells Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tPride Around the World\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Calum McSwiggan, author of Eat Gay Love, is a man on a mission. He plans to spend 2025 exploring how the\u00a0LGBT+ community is celebrated everywhere on Earth: 12 months, 7 continents, 20 Prides.<\/p>\n

In an exclusive Metro<\/strong> series, Calum<\/a> will journey from the subzero climes of Antarctica to the jewel-toned streets of Mumba<\/a>i, telling the story of Pride around the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow his journey on Metro<\/strong>, in print and on our socials to learn how Pride is celebrated around the world. Next up? Bangkok<\/a>, Thailand<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018I agree, it\u2019s so nice to see queer femmes holding the majority, but the reason for that is likely because men just don\u2019t feel free to come out. There is still a lot of sexism and homophobia in these remote regions, and it traps a lot of people in the closet. These brave queer women manage to overcome that, but the same can\u2019t be said for many of the queer men.\u2019<\/p>\n

It comes as a huge surprise to me. I\u2019ve spent a lot of time in Finland and believed it to be incredibly inclusive. 82% of the country<\/a> believe \u2018there is nothing wrong with a sexual relationship between two people of the same sex,\u2019 making them one of the most progressive countries in the world.<\/p>\n

But while the country as a whole may be accepting, it seems progress has been slower in the remote polar region.<\/p>\n

\u2018Our rights are still very much under threat,\u2019 Marjo Ollila, one of the producers of Arctic Pride, says as the queer congregation marches through the city centre. <\/p>\n

\u2018We have witnessed this first hand with Arctic Pride posters being systematically vandalised. It\u2019s a reminder of the challenges we still face.\u2019<\/p>\n

It\u2019s evident that a legacy of queerphobia lives on here, but instead of bending to homophobia<\/a> and transphobia<\/a>, the community doubles down and shows up in greater numbers. More than 1,000 people come to take part in the parade.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Calum\t<\/div>
Calum has already visited Pride events in Whistler, Mumbai and Sydney in 2025 (Picture: Calum McSwiggan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This visibility is crucial, and things are definitely starting to change. <\/p>\n

Acceptance is crucial. An LGBT+ study from Booking.com found that 73% of queer travellers say increased inclusivity has made them feel more comfortable when travelling. These small gestures will keep queer people coming back to Rovaniemi.<\/p>\n

As Europop blasts through the streets, the queer community takes over the town square in equal part protest and celebration. <\/p>\n

There are signs calling for trans rights<\/a> and Palestinian<\/a> liberation, and queer joy splayed across faces as a rainbow-clad snowman dances amongst the crowd. I find it amusing that this doesn\u2019t take place outside city hall or a government building like it might do at other Prides \u2013 rather it takes place outside Santa Claus\u2019 city office.<\/p>\n

I see him smiling through the window and wonder what he makes of all this. I haven\u2019t spoken to him, after all, since I was still a closeted little kid.<\/p>\n

Luckily, it\u2019s easy to find the answer. After the glitter and confetti of the pride march has settled, I go to find him in his official home in Santa Claus Village. I\u2019m struck by the thought of \u2018lavender relationships,\u2019 where gay and lesbian people marry one another to conceal their true identities, often due to societal pressures.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"\"\t<\/div>
It may be one of the most remote and inhospitable regions on Earth, but Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle still puts on a colourful display (Picture: Calum McSwiggan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who am I to suppose that this might be the case for Mr & Mrs Claus, but they do <\/em>live separately in their own cottages, so make of that what you will.<\/p>\n

Santa\u2019s door is open 365 days a year, and running on the principle that Santa belongs to everyone, it\u2019s free to visit. I\u2019m escorted through winding corridors by a handsome elf, until I find him waiting patiently in his office.<\/p>\n

\u2018Tolerance and equality are very important to me,\u2019 he tells me after we take photos with my Pride flag. Asked what he thinks about hatred towards LGBT+ people around the world, he encourages everyone to try to be a little nicer and kinder, especially to those from minority groups, whether that be race, gender, or sexuality.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the full-throated rallying cry of defiance I\u2019d hoped for. I\u2019d fantasised that Santa might slam down his fist and call for QUEER RIGHTS NOW!, <\/em>his belly furiously shaking like a bowl of righteous jelly. <\/p>\n

But he is Santa Claus after all, not the face of resistance. Still, in a unique diplomatic way, his message comes across loud and clear. The LGBT+ community deserves kindness. It really is as simple as that.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
Arctic Pride goes to show there are LGBT+ communities, and allies, everywhere (Picture: Calum McSwiggan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s a vision reflected in everything Arctic Pride works to achieve. It would be easy to respond to homophobia and transphobia with rage, but instead, they respond with patience and understanding. <\/p>\n

\u2018We all make mistakes, but what matters most is our willingness to learn and grow,\u2019 Marjo Ollila concludes in her speech. <\/p>\n

\u2018So let\u2019s give everyone the opportunity and space to change for the better. Even those who tear down our posters.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tTravel guide to Arctic Pride\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Getting there<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finnair\u00a0offers\u00a0return fares from London Heathrow <\/a>to\u00a0Rovaniemi, via Helsinki, from\u00a0\u00a3251 in Economy Class,\u00a0and \u00a3661 in Business Class\u00a0including all taxes and charges<\/p>\n

Where to stay<\/strong><\/p>\n