Pride Walk
It begins, as it always does, with a step. Sometimes on cobblestones in a Nordic city square. Sometimes down a tree-lined avenue leading to a vast estate, a place where queer history was made and then buried. Sometimes through history, sometimes through fiction – but always forward.

Pride is more than a parade. It is a memory, a protest, and a celebration. It is silence breaking into song, shame blossoming into colour, the private becoming public, and the world becoming wider.

In this story, we walk hand in hand with many, celebrating our diversity and unity. It started with the demonstrators outside Stonewall in 1969. With the schoolchildren in Malmö painting rainbows on the pavement. With Roy and Silo, two penguins in love, who raised a chick and challenged the world. And with Lady Caroline, resurrecting Leonard Cohen’s forgotten anthem and turning a British palace upside down.

This is my tale of Malmö Pride 2025 – and of how queerness, like a delightful surprise, finds its way into the most unlikely places. Between flags and footpaths, drag queens and duchesses, cobblestones and choruses. Between the factual and the fabulist. Between Sweden and England. Between love, the most potent force, and glitter, the symbol of celebration and joy.

Because what begins as a step…
can end in a Hallelujah.

“A Penguin Love Poem

At Central Park Zoo, in the city so wide,
Two penguins found something they couldn’t hide.
They waddled and bowed, they cooed and they kissed,
And nobody else on the iceberg was missed.

Roy looked at Silo and gave him a peep:
"Let’s build us a nest and stop losing sleep."
So stone after stone, they made it with flair –
A proper love nest with a whole lot of care.

They sat on a rock, day in and day out,
The zookeepers watched and whispered: “No doubt…
These boys need an egg, not just cold décor.”
They gave them a real one, to love and adore.

The couple took turns to warm it, doing what they knew.
Soon, little Tango came peeping through.
Two dads with a chick? The tabloids went mad!
But Tango just chirped: “I’ve got two loving dads.”

The world was amazed, and the bigots grew grumpy,
While kids read the book, they feel fuzzy and jumpy.
They’d shown that love, with its feathers and flair.
It can pop up in places we’d never quite dare.

They’ve since passed away, but their legacy’s loud,
Their souls march in Malmö, bold, rainbow and proud.
With bow ties and pride, they’re leading the pack –
A queer penguin couple who never looked back.”
Malmö June 2025

Walking with Pride
It all started with a revolt. In June 1969, the first stones were thrown outside the historic Stonewall Inn in New York – a pivotal moment that ignited a global movement for LGBTQ+ rights.

In Malmö, Pride has undergone significant development since its inception in the late 1990s, a journey that echoes the roots of the global movement. Starting on a modest scale, it has blossomed into a vibrant movement that unites struggle, culture, and community, mirroring the historical journey of LGBTQ+ rights.
Today, Malmö Pride is a vital part of the city’s identity – a place for joy, politics, love, and resistance.

Malmö Pride 2025 takes place from July 2 to 5, spanning four days filled with dialogue, celebration, activism, and solidarity. This year’s theme is “Freedom in Every Step” – a reminder that every step we take together is a step towards the right to be oneself, to love freely, and to live without fear. At a time when hard-won rights are being challenged and hate is organising itself anew, Malmö Pride remains strong as a counterforce – vibrant, inclusive, and unwavering. We are committed to providing a safe and accessible environment for all attendees, with measures in place to ensure everyone can fully participate in the event.

The highlight, the Pride Parade, leaves on Saturday, July 5, at 1:00 PM from Lördagsplan, near Malmö City Library. Gathering begins at 11:30. The parade moves through the heart of the city in a powerful and colourful procession, bringing together activists, associations, public workers, drag artists, allies, and families – all marching beneath the rainbow banner, creating a lively and inclusive spectacle that welcomes everyone.

And perhaps, although nothing is specific and it might just be a dream, the city leaders will allow one of the cobblestone curves of Stortorget to be painted in rainbow colours. Painting streets in rainbow hues as a tribute to Pride and diversity has become a global symbol, and Iceland played a key role in popularising this idea.

One of the world’s most famous rainbow streets is in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. On Skólavörðustígur, the street leading up to the iconic Hallgrímskirkja, a permanent rainbow street was first painted in 2015 in connection with Reykjavík Pride. It quickly became a symbol of openness, pride, and unity – and a popular tourist destination. Local artists and activists launched the initiative, initially as a temporary display, but it was soon made permanent thanks to strong public and municipal support.

Since then, the idea has spread to many other cities. In Höganäs in southern Sweden, inspired by Iceland, a permanent rainbow street was painted, serving as a lasting and visible symbol of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. Other Swedish cities such as Stockholm, Umeå, Eskilstuna, and Malmö have followed suit, painting pedestrian crossings and pavements in rainbow colours – first during Pride weeks, but increasingly as permanent installations.

Pride Park, located in Folkets Park, offers stage performances, bars, food trucks, and a vibrant queer market – a space to gather, celebrate, and explore.

Pride House hosts panel discussions and events focused on queer rights in connection with other social issues, such as climate justice, anti-racism, and democracy.

Youth Pride organises daytime parties on Brogatan in collaboration with ‘Tiny Saturdays’ and ‘Medborgarskolan’ – a place for young queer voices, creativity, and dance.

Pride In the City offers a diverse programme of events across Malmö – from cultural centres and clubs to libraries and churches. This variety ensures there is something for everyone, transforming the entire city into a stage for diversity and pride. The programme includes cultural performances, educational workshops, social gatherings, and more, all designed to celebrate and promote LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.
The whole city becomes a stage for diversity and pride.

Malmö Pride 2025 is more than a festival. It is a movement, a statement, and a celebration of life. It's a call to action, an inspiration to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, and a reminder of the power of unity and love.

We can't wait to see you there – with hearts open and the Scanian flag flying high, ready to celebrate life and diversity at Malmö Pride 2025. The Scanian flag, a symbol of regional pride and identity, will be proudly displayed at the event, reflecting our commitment to celebrating diversity in all its forms.

And if you’re wondering why two penguins in the picture are leading the parade, allow us a brief explanation. Roy and Silo were not just any penguins – they were a world-famous queer couple.

These two male chinstrap penguins lived together at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. In the late 1990s, zookeepers observed that Roy and Silo had formed a strong bond, as evidenced by their display of mating rituals, their joint nest-building efforts, and even their attempt to hatch a rock as if it were an egg. Touched by their devotion, the staff gave them a real egg from a heterosexual penguin pair that had struggled with parenting. Roy and Silo took turns incubating it – and successfully hatched a chick named Tango.

Their story made headlines around the world. It challenged assumptions, sparked debates, and inspired books, plays, and countless conversations about same-sex relationships in the animal kingdom. And "Tango Makes Three," the children’s book based on their lives, became both award-winning and controversial – celebrated for its message of inclusion, but banned in some places due to concerns about age-appropriateness and the portrayal of same-sex relationships to young readers.

Today, Roy and Silo walk with us not just as charming symbols, but as trailblazers of queer love in unexpected forms. They remind us that nature, too, is full of diversity – and that love, in all its variations, deserves to be seen, protected, and celebrated.

So, when you spot two penguins in rainbow bow ties at the front of Malmö Pride, know that they’re not just there for the photo op. They’re marching for love, just like the rest of us.

Though Roy and Silo are no longer with us, their legacy lives on – in parades, in classrooms, and bedtime stories read to open-hearted children around the world. Their impact continues to shape conversations and inspire change.

Their love story wasn’t just sweet – it became iconic. A symbol for the LGBTQ+ movement, and a gentle but powerful reminder that love, care, and the desire to build a family are not limited by gender or sexuality. Not even in the animal kingdom. Their story is a testament to the universal nature of love, transcending all boundaries.

But before you prepare for Malmö Pride, you might have time to read about how Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah inspired a rather unusual Pride festival held in the heart of one of England’s most spectacular castles.

As always, when I write, you can never be quite sure whether it happened, will happen, or should happen – but that’s not the point. It should happen. Read the story of Lady Caroline Lambert Lullaby, one of Leonard Cohen’s many flames, and how she pulled off a nearly impossible celebration in the very heart of British aristocracy.

The story is part of a book I’m working on—a book about Leonard’s women.

Hampton Palace Pride Parade

Many years later, after I met Judith, I realised all these hidden layers. Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' has had many interpretations, some better than others. One might say the song relates to religious faith, but others argue it captures the orgasmic hallelujah and echoes queer love. Since coming out as bisexual and living with Judith, the song has gained a new significance. I call it a Queer Anthem.

"That's definitely a different interpretation,” Mara said sceptically, emphasising the word 'different’. “Do you think Leonard ever crossed the line? That he had a tryst in bed with a man?” Mara asked cautiously.

He understood that both women and men could be attracted to the same sex. However, I am convinced that Leonard never gave in to the temptation, even though the thought might have crossed his mind. I asked him once, and he gave a somewhat peculiar answer. He was experimental in many ways, exploring religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships, so it would have been odd otherwise. Besides, as I mentioned, the idea for a Pride parade was his.

“You're probably right, but Leonard was a bit mysterious about the question. Plus, after the interview in Paris, I touched on the issue so that he might have been more off guard.”

"At Clampton Palace in August this year, Pride was adorned with the ‘love is love’ slogan, glitter, elaborate outfits, and festive celebrations. It's easy to overlook its origins, which can be traced back to Stonewall in 1969.

"Stonewall? Another estate? Apologies for my lack of knowledge.

"Far from it." Caroline chuckled. The Stonewall Inn was a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village. The Pride movement had a tumultuous beginning, Mara. Fifty-four years ago, gays and lesbians bravely confronted transphobic and racist violence. Individuals resisted police brutality during frequent raids on gay bars. The trouble at Stonewall began with a police raid on June 28, sparked by a trumped-up liquor license charge. Instead of dispersing, the crowd cheered those being arrested. When a lesbian resisted arrest and called for action, the situation escalated into a riot with chants, bottles, and bricks thrown. The officers barricaded themselves, and the incident led to more violent demonstrations in the neighbourhood in the following days. Unfortunately, the resulting confrontations were brutal and persist to this day in many places. June 28 is celebrated among queer people as significant as Easter is for Christians.”

I missed that. I was nineteen back then and, to my knowledge, had no queer individuals in my social circle. We barely even talked about it. Girls didn't share the same paranoia about homosexuality that teenage boys did. In the novels we girls read in the sixties, lesbian love was either not explicitly portrayed, or I missed the internal perspective.

I was probably the same. But anyway. When Judith and I created our palace version of Pride, I dusted off Leonard's ideas from 1977. It was about letting the entire Clampton come out of the closet, allowing the parade to sweep away my inhibitions. That was Leonard’s advice, like doing a thorough spring cleaning in late summer. Not to vacuum away the glitter, but to flip the device and blow it out. Let it be a happening!

”It sounds like you had second thoughts.”

Not in one sense, but in another. As a sixty-seven-year-old bisexual woman who has proudly embraced my identity for many years, fashion has never appealed to me. This attitude extends to my partners, including Judith, with whom I have been for the past fifteen years. My wardrobe consists solely of practical, high-quality clothing, occasionally with a splash of colour but more often in monochrome, focusing on sophisticated simplicity. It suits women who enjoy sports, hiking, mountain climbing, riding, cycling, long walks, and other outdoor activities. Women like us, who make up the majority, never feel attracted to the lively atmosphere of gay bars, nightclubs, or Pride Parades, except perhaps the one at the Palace or similar, understated events. Judith and I find neither welcome nor interest in such environments.

The first time I walked into a room with Judith by my side, honestly, it felt like a whirlwind of emotions. It was exhilarating, a mix of confusion and fear, yet strangely enjoyable, almost like a homecoming but with a peculiar sensation. It was as if all eyes were on us.

In the supermarket, I saw queer individuals going about their lives openly—if you knew who and what they were. They weren't parading through the produce section, making a fuss about their queerness, banging pots and pans about how queer they were. They were just like everyone else, shopping and embracing their true selves. In short, I wanted a celebration, a manifestation, but no striptease, keeping my soul separate from my body and the hyenas away from Clampton Palace.

I find Pride really fun; to me, it's like a carnival. But honestly, I don't stand there thinking about the seriousness behind it amid the cheerful joy playing out in front of me. However, sometimes afterwards, I've wondered if the event goes overboard and pushes away some more than it attracts others.

"What you see during a Pride parade is exaggeration. Being overly explicit is a crucial part of the concept. Being subtle hasn't helped in the fight against prejudices. When you put your foot down, it must be done firmly so that it echoes into every corner of prejudiced minds."

Many are painted like girls. Yes, more like some prostitutes, roughly speaking. Right?" Mara said, exposing her prejudices.

"During a parade, the forbidden becomes permitted, and the impossible becomes achievable. The stereotype that queer people always appear a certain way is a misguided notion propagated by movies and television; it does not reflect reality. It's essential to avoid TV shows like the poisonous ‘Queer Eye’ and instead engage with genuine gender minorities. Remember that the Pride events represent only a tiny fraction of the diverse queer population, most of whom are ordinary citizens living everyday lives, barely noticed in the background noise of daily existence. They are just as fun or mundane as anyone else.

"It's an important aspect," said Mara. "What about your parade?”

We kicked off our boundless Palace Day on Saturday, 5th August. The parade started at 11 am on the avenue leading to the palace. The feast of colour and music was full of extravagant costumes, set against the magnificent late summer green of the horse chestnut trees. The atmosphere was unusually festive. Our Pride parade was not only a bit special as the first ever at a British estate but also extra important, as stated in the call to action, ’This year have seen the rights of queer communities attacked. We must do something about it!”

“At least the message makes sense.”

The procession was full of strange characters. A man walked naked with angel wings, feeling cool, and to him, it was somehow connected to Pride and being gay. However, I don't believe it completely shows who he is. It’s holiday wear,” laughed Caroline.

“Completely naked?!”

Not entirely. He wore a minimal jockstrap. Among some people, similar to your office colleagues who are a bit over-the-top about Christmas, it became a contest to see who could be the most outrageous and extravagant.

Another man dressed as Diana Ross mimed her classic 'I'm Coming Out,' but he struggled with the high-heeled shoes on the gravel. A young girl portrayed Cinderella with a neckline larger than her dress, fishnet stockings, and stilts for heels. Her hairstyle looked as if her head had exploded into sprawling tendrils, colours, and glitter.

It sounds like the spectators have had their fill.

"No doubt! It was completely crazy. Everything was upside down, like Alice in Wonderland — a fantastical world of anthropomorphic creatures. First, neither Pride nor the attire worn to Pride is meant to be representative. They are intended to offend mainstream sensibilities.”

“But that makes no sense. Why would people try to gain acceptance by parading to offend?” Mara thought the argument was flawed.

“Because Pride wasn’t started by people seeking acknowledgement. They just asked for the right to exist like anyone else without being anyone else, beautiful or ugly, short or tall, pleasant or unpleasant; just being themselves, dressed, undressed, or dressed up.”

It should be a given without having to dress up like clowns. Lose a bit of dignity, or?

"The parade's crazy characters challenge the rational ideal and the chaotic reality of the world. I did. All queer individuals tell the same story. Even if they behave as they were taught as children, they discover intolerance, uncooperative characters, and unpredictable events that thwart their rights. It's just as well to challenge and play with the prejudices when to delight or entertain.”

All sounds so simple and obvious when you explain it, yet the problem persists.

To many, the Pride parade is simply a demonstration and a plea for support for those who struggle to be accepted as they are. Once a year. In the other 364 days, the audience reverts to the silent majority that avoids contemplating injustices and discrimination. If every day were a Pride day, everyone would feel much better. Because, indeed, it was delightful to see the Parade at Clampton. There were rainbow street looks, sky-high drag heels, and creative couture parading down the avenue and the palace driveway among rows of delighted spectators.

I assume that the host himself, your ex, the Earl, was present in disguise.

"You haven't forgotten that Tomas and I are formally married and will remain so until death, resting next to each other again in the crypt under the church. Tomas was dressed in a rainbow-coloured summer suit with bold stripes in bright shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The button-up blazer had wide lapels and short sleeves to keep him cool. The matching knee-length shorts ended above the knees, leaving his hairy legs exposed. An included rainbow necktie and killer sunglasses pulled it all together." It was evident that Caroline didn't think the legs were a highlight.

And his young stable hand, Jack?" Mara refrained from commenting on the outfit, which seemed more than a bit flamboyant.

"Same model of the suit, but mint green. The exterior was covered with ice cream cones, popsicles, orange push-ups, and other frozen confectionery treats. He looked as tasty as an icy treat, minus the leg hair on that hot summer day."

"Sounds great," said Mara, and she realised that Caroline, being bisexual, sounded as if she also appreciated young boys.

“I didn't want to draw attention or appear ladylike, so I chose something far from discreet – a red, green, and white-striped slim one-piece jumpsuit with a belt featuring a lightning bolt at the front. I wore a stand-out wig reminiscent of Marge Simpson, but carrot-red, paired with my tallest heels. Oh, and most importantly, a lot of glitter and face paint, so I shone like the Milky Way. I let everyone believe I was made from space dust, powered by interstellar solar flares, and fuelled by the rock and roll music streaming from the speakers along the parade route. There couldn't have been a soul who recognised me as Lady Caroline. The mirror had given me a thirty-year discount and revealed a vamp."

“And your partner?”

"Judith! What do you think? Something super sexy from the 1990s, like an adult pop diva costume? She likes to go all out. A form-fitting stretch-knit golden leotard with cone-shaped bra cups, shoulder straps, and black glittering Lycra leggings fitting like a second skin. Around the waist, a gold faux leather belt, and you had the makings of the pop culture icon Madonna. You should have seen the lustful looks from guys who had no idea," Caroline laughed wickedly.

"You surely had a blast."

"Especially watching others, even if some only made half-hearted efforts. Two contrasts had joined me and Judith. On Judith’s side was a sturdy farmwife with a floral skirt and a T-shirt that read 'Hot Norfolk Gay' across her chest. Next to me strutted a slim girl who had glued a wild moustache and beard in pride colours onto her face. Next to her, I felt quite thick. In front of us, as if to clear the way, a mobility scooter rolled along, packed with colourful stuff that made it barely visible to see either the scooter or the driver.”

"Maybe I need to change my objections. Perhaps reverse logic will become a winner in the long run," said Mara thoughtfully.

You can bet on that, and the odds are many. The parade was full of heart-shaped sunglasses in all the rainbow colours, with or without glitter and beads. A guy was selling them near the car park. The palace grounds were covered in a carpet of free stickers, bracelets, keychains, flags, and sweets. At one stall, Tesco was giving away paper bags of chewy rainbow laces in pride colours. Only the bags hit the ground.”

"That Saturday was dedicated to love. Nothing set Clampton Palace apart from the usual Pride event; the songs, rhythm, and tones were all there. It was a joyful and colourful celebration of love for equal human rights and an assertion of everyone's right to love and be who they want to be. And the highlight was Leonard."

"How could he be part of it?"

"When Leonard, posthumously, sang 'Hallelujah - Or the Queer couple at the dawn of time,' a queer version of Hallelujah from a large screen on the palace facade, time seemed to pause. The parade acted like a choir, and in a relay, we sang together verse after verse, from the last group that had barely left the avenue to the first line next to the Orangery.

Leonard on the screen was an AI-generated film based on his 2008 London concert, featuring the song he recorded here on the estate in 1977, which had been forgotten in a desk drawer. The result was fantastic and must have touched him in his heaven. Do you want to hear the Queer community’s new anthem?"

"Absolutely!" Caroline found the recording on her phone, and the producer made sure that viewers and Mara could see the video on the TV.

“Adam had a dick but wasn’t straight or gay,
Eve, with a vagina, had to, as a virgin, stay.
After the fall of man, God's envy game
They spotted their privates and felt shame
Found sex and how nice it felt when they came
So, from intense lust, they cried Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Lacking girls, brothers Kain, Abel and Seth
Of need became fags and each other whet
Adam hunting, Eve and Sarah had a fling
It was the thing in hand and hand in thing,
But without Adam, they couldn’t put things in things.
Little did they care howling Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

From the start, queer history became strong.
Coming second, hetero sex then went along
Without it, man would have become the few
Breeding without a woman’s vagina to screw
Is more like cloning sheep and not coming through
And a future without the glorious Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Since Stonewall 69, we’re on the way
Fighting for your n’ mine right being gay
At Clampton Palace, there is light and hope
And our singing is about how we will cope.
Though hope and luck still direct our hap aslope
We're getting better at singing 'Hallelujah'.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

In a world so fractured, our path unfolds,
Through tears and laughter, we pray, hearts bold.
Surrounded by darkness, hope ever near,
In the depths of our souls, a flicker of sincere
While awaiting an angel from heaven bringing cheer
We sing with joy to a higher being, a Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Through trials, we endured, hearts intertwined,
In the echoes of silence, light we defined.
Embracing shadows, rising through the night,
Our sexes are now as one, pure and bright
And we hurdle, dance and sing with hands holding tight.
Full of trust and confidence, we holler Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, voices unite,
In sorrow's depth, the divine is in sight.
Hallelujah, a melody comes true,
Together, we sing, and our sex renews.

With open hearts, we mend the torn,
In mutual compassion, love is reborn.
Through the avenue, we find our way,
In a sacred dance, our souls gently sway
Turning tried and tormented minds of young and gay
We can do nothing else but sing Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

In scars, courage and strength reside,
A tapestry woven, where faith abides.
Through hymns of redemption overcome,
Spirits uplifted, together we become
The enemy's worst enemy and to not succumb
We raise our voices in a jolly Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

As our queer symphony unfolds its grace,
Solace is found in Clampton's sacred space.
Note by note, voices form a healing song,
From eager throats, it rises, standing strong.
All churches are ringing their bells ding-dong ding-dong
Accompanying our cheerful song, Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

From verses we’ve sung, stories unfold,
A symphony of hope in silver and gold.
Harmonising, painting skies with sound,
With our voices intertwined, love is found.
In colourful masks and dresses, an oath we have bound
And together forever, chanting the Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

In the legacy of Hallelujah, we embrace,
A testament to grace, a hymn of praise.
Venus and Eros, whose spirits entwined,
In this sequel of Souls, their love is defined
And their sacred bones in eternity will be enshrined
Hailed by a queer choir singing the Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah”, Leonard silenced from the other side.

“Absolutely incredible to hear Leonard singing from the other side. And that it really happened.”

It is hard to deny that everything has happened. It was selfie time, and people took snapshots with the palace in the background and quickly posted them on various internet sites. This occasion was special. Gay festivals and Pride parades exist in many places around the world, but they have never taken place at a living castle, palace, or manor house.

This event caused a commotion when lords and ladies returned to the Upper House on 4th September. The Pride Parade at Clampton Palace was not only on everyone's lips and in the headlines of newspapers, but also especially in the House of Lords. The court had questioned this new trend amidst all the other gimmicks that kept the English estates afloat. A Pride parade at a 14th-century castle doesn't hold much favour in the House of Lords—just as little as women.

Caroline laughed, but it didn't sound kind.

"I almost forgot the handbag," Caroline suddenly said.

"What's with it? Another additional item?" Mara asked, glancing at the clock on the wall. The interview with Caroline had stretched beyond all expectations, but Mara judged it could be suitable for a separate programme if necessary.

Epilogue – From Clampton Palace to Malmö

Pride takes many forms. In Malmö, it begins on cobbled streets and in public parks, with schoolchildren waving flags, activists chanting, and drag queens dazzling in sequins. In England, it might unfold behind aristocratic hedgerows, where tradition and queerness collide in a glittering masquerade of liberation and legacy.

At Malmö Pride 2025, we march with open hearts under the Scanian sky. And somewhere, in the memory of a long summer afternoon, echoes still linger from another parade – one that took place not in a city square, but along the avenue of a centuries-old estate. There, Lady Caroline Lambert Lullaby, once a flame of Leonard Cohen, swept out the closets of Clampton Palace and turned a queer fantasy into a living celebration. With Judith at her side and glitter in her hair, she transformed a symbol of noble restraint into a carnival of courage.

What unites Malmö’s Pride Walk and Clampton’s secret parade is not geography, but intention. Both are acts of reclaiming space – of declaring, in broad daylight or candlelit splendour, that love refuses to be quiet. That history is rewritten not only in chants and protests, but also in song.

And perhaps, as we gather in Folkets Park or stroll along rainbow-painted streets inspired by Reykjavík and Höganäs, we might hear it too – Leonard’s voice from the other side, singing a new verse of Hallelujah for those who live in-between, in-between genders, in-between centuries, in-between palaces and parks.

Whether we walk through Malmö or Clampton Palace, we walk with the same purpose:

To be seen.
To be heard.
To be real.

And somewhere in the air:
Hallelujah.