SWEDEN: GAY PHILOSOPHER REJECTED AS NAME FOR NEW SCHOOL

(KOM UT 2/95) When a new school should be named in Bohuslaen county, the
local authorities announced a competition to get suggestions for a name for
the school. Among the suggestions two proposals were chosen. One of them was
The Wikner School (Wiknerskolan) after one of the famous sons of the region,
the philosopher and theologin Pontus Wikner (1837-1888).

When the authorities should decide which one to choose, both proposals were
rejected. The motivation for not using Wikner's name was, that he was gay.

Pontus Wikner is one of earliest advocators of gay and lesbian rights in
Sweden, and is honoured as one of the Swedish queer movements central
figures. The whole truth about Wikner's homosexuality was, however, first
known after the manuscript of his "Psychological Self-Confessions" was
published in 1971, about 80 years after his death.

In the Confessions he suggests that gay men and lesbians should be allowed
to marry. He is also of the opinon, that diversity and pluralism should be
possible, as long as it does not hurt any one else.

"You say, that what I desire is *unnatural*. I know it is *called* so. It is
called so, because it is contrary to the nature of *pluralism*. But by *my*
nature it is *demanded*. And is it not *my* nature, that should be guiding,
in matters regarding *my* person?" (From the Confessions)