How do you peacefully keep secret Russian submarines from spying on your country? Let them know how gay you are, at least that is what The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society is recommending. The world’s oldest peace organization and three-time Nobel Peace Prize recipient, is taking to the waters off Stockholm, to install a piece of “gay propaganda” they hope will deter Russia submarines from entering Swedish waters.
According to the Moscow Times, The underwater installation is comprised of a flashing neon sign that reads, “Welcome to Sweden, gay since 1944”. The device also emits a Morse code signal that states, “This way if you are gay.”
The sign plays upon the stark contrast between the two country’s stance on LGBTQ rights. Sweden decriminalized homosexuality 71 years ago, while Russia recently banned the promotion of any “gay propaganda” while also enacting homophobic laws in 2013. The sign is also a direct reference to the recent reports of Russian submarines in Swedish and Finnish waters.