Sweden’s stamps are turning rainbow to celebrate Pride
Sweden’s postal service has announced its stamps will be turning rainbow to celebrate LGBT Pride.
PostNord, which is jointly-owned by the Swedish and Danish governments, announced the commemorative rainbow stamps this week.
Per Ljungberg of PostNord Sweden said: “By issuing a stamp with the Pride Flag, we want to emphasise the equal value of all people and the strength represented by people’s unique qualities and differences.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the Pride Flag has been reproduced on a stamp – which makes it particularly gratifying that people will now be able to send affectionate greetings with the Pride Flag stamp to all corners of the world.”
PostNord adds: “The next time you send a postcard or a letter, you’re supporting the limitless love and equality of all!”
The company says its Stamp Advisory Committee receives “hundreds of suggestions” for stamp motifs every year.
It adds that artist Lisa Rydell submitted the idea for the stamp, and Ms Rydell was also commissioned to settle on a design.
The stamp itself is quite minimalist, featuring the colours of the Pride flag edge-to-edge.
Mr Ljungberg added: “Swedes really like to send and receive stamped letters and postcards.
“For many people, the choice of stamp is an extension of their written message – which will be made especially profound with the new Pride stamp. This motif is also well in line with PostNord’s internal diversity initiatives.”
The US Postal Service issued a Harvey Milk stamp in 2014 in honour of the assassinated gay rights champion.
At the time the stamp was met with resistance by anti-gay groups – with the American Family Association rejecting all post that came with a Harvey Milk stamp attached.
A number of gay rights activists mocked the group by sending donations in envelopes with Harvey Milk stamps on… which were returned to sender.
