Micaela Kallaris

"No one should really have to come out"

- It would be nice to live in a society where you don’t have to come out. One where your homosexuality isn’t an issue and you don’t have to think about how to deal with it at work or with family. A society where you can just be yourself. In Sweden, we are well on our way, especially in a city like Malmö where the municipality is supportive and helpful. So I'm actually really optimistic.

- I have been involved in arranging pride festivals in Malmö and Helsingborg and started Lesworking Sweden, an international network for professional lesbian women. I want to try to create the safe places I found for others. That is my driving force.

- I was 16 when I came out. My friends would talk about how they fell in love and how it tingles in the stomach, but I didn’t recognize that in how I felt. Until one day I suddenly fell in love with a girl. At first, it was difficult to understand. I had never seen a movie or read a book where two girls fall in love. I didn’t understand that, as a woman, I could actually be with another woman.

- When I was first part of Pride, I immediately felt that this is a place where I belonged. It may be difficult for outsiders to understand how much it means to belong to a group where you are not in the minority, a place where everyone is like you. Coming out can be a fairly calculating process, more than people think. You weigh the pros and cons, think and discuss with yourself. And it's nice to be in a context where it's not needed.

- The best way to counteract prejudice is to take part in conversations and lectures, to read, gather information, and dare to ask questions. There are still many in society who are not so familiar with the LGBTQ movement's issues. Personally, I always try to take the time to answer even less well-thought-out questions. It is important if we are to succeed in creating understanding and removing prejudices.

- The most rewarding part is when you see all the pieces for a festival fall into place and the event comes to life. It’s very varied what people want out of a festival. Some have been out for a long time and want a party with a big parade. For others, it may be their first time and they want something else. I am most satisfied when we can succeed in fulfilling everyone's wishes.