Librarians' union on SD's statement: "Extremely serious"

The Sweden Democrats in Kalmar have previously said that the "Drag story hour" concept, where drag artists read books to young children in the country's preschools and libraries, should be completely discontinued.

- It is our moral obligation to stop it.

We believe that two-year-olds should have a protected right to play and be children, says Jonathan Sager (SD) to SVT Blekinge.

SD leader and Member of Parliament Björn Söder is also critical.

"Let children be children and stop subjecting them to things like this.

Absolutely correct action from SD", he writes on Twitter.

"Politicians should stay away"

Anna Troberg, union president at DIK, says that they take the statement seriously and that there are several things in the criticism that are startling.

- It would be absolutely terrible if libraries couldn't have storytimes like this in the future, or other activities that someone for some reason finds awkward.

Libraries should be open, democratic spaces where all people are welcome, says Anna Troberg.

The DIK trade union believes that the statement is a restriction of the principle of arm's length distance.  

- Political parties and political representatives must stay away from detailed control of the activities and offerings of the country's libraries.

I think it is very important that political parties, especially political representatives, mark very clearly against this type of statement, continues Troberg.

No central stance

In Kalmar municipality, the Social Democrats govern together with the Left Party and the Center Party, and the board has no plans to discontinue "Drag story hour".

But even if the Sweden Democrats belong to the opposition in Kalmar, the party has all the more influence over national politics, but there is no central stance there.

"It is a complicated issue about the Drag queen story hour and many in the party have different angles and opinions about it.

This is precisely why we have no central stance.

It is not our job at the national level to get involved in local cultural events," writes Bo Broman, the party's cultural policy spokesperson in an email.

"I personally think it's quite uncontroversial to have fairytale moments with drag queens.

What child doesn't find it fun to watch adults dress up?

But that's just my personal opinion.

There are probably as many opinions on this issue as we have the number of members in the party," he continues.