- I hope that our participation in the Parade will increase the feeling of security and safety among students who are LGBT persons, Agneta Cederbom from Lärarförbundet says.
The Pride Parade 2009 will soon set off. One of Sweden's two labour unions for teachers, Lärarförbundet, has gathered in Humlegården. The troupe wears shirts in the different colours of the rainbow which say "Teacher", "Principal" and "Student". Everyone is excited and well, almost overly, prepared for the long march ahead that will take them through the city.
- Do you want a sandwich? Lena, a teacher, asks and points at a box filled with ciabattas.
- We're trying to get rid of them, we've prepared too many of them!
"It is important to be here"
This year is the third in a row that Lärarförbundet has their own banner in the parade. For both Lena and Agneta, chairperson of the association of school managers, this is their first year in the parade. Agneta has come all the way from Skåne to walk in the parade.
- Lärarförbundet has members of different sexual orientations. That is why it feels important that we are represented in the parade, she tells.
Lena tells that she looks forward to the parade, especially since Lärarförbundet received quite a lot of positive response for their participation in Stockholm Pride and the parade.
- People have visited our tent in Pride Park all week, and told us how happy they are that we are present at Pride, she concludes.
"Teachers don't dare to come out"
Agneta Cederbom is somewhat hesitant but still gives a positive reply when asked whether Swedish schools are LGBT friendly workplaces.
- I think I can say that yes, generally it is. But I still think there are many teachers that do not dare to be open about their orientation in front of their students, because they are afraid that they would be discriminated. And besides, as a principal I have seventy-five teachers employed, and frankly, I don't know anything what so ever about their sexual orientations. LGBT and queer related issues are still sensitive issues at schools, as they are in the society as a whole.
Agneta also thinks that the parade is a way for Lärarförbundet to reach young people.
- I hope that young LGBT persons who study at Swedish schools will feel more secure and safer when they see us in the parade.
Agneta requests more education for teachers in LGBT issues, preferably at universities and colleges where future teachers are trained, since they are the ones who will shape the school of tomorrow. It might improve the situation for teachers and students who feel exposed.
- Preferably you ought to start thinking about these issues already when you receive your education at the Teacher's college, to think about your attitude towards your own sexuality, she says.