Sweden’s Gay Defense System: The Singing Sailor

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.

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Prince: Hunting for his secret vault

The BBC’s Mobeen Azhar heads to Minneapolis in search of Prince’s mythical secret vault of unreleased music.

Prince is notorious for keeping the lid on his videos as well as music. Here are some more rare gems from Prince’s also elusive digital video appearances.

First, a full 1982 performance at the Capitol Theater in New Jersey.

and bonus jam video with Tom Petty and others from the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame tribute to George Harrison.