Date: Thu, 30 Mar 1995 12:19:34 +0200 (MSZ) From: Bj|rn Skolander Has Out MP Andreas Carlgren a Political Future? Yesterday night the programme "Fyra maen och en faarfiol" (Four men and a leg of mutton), where MP Andreas Carlgren was said to come out, was aired. A Swedish MP, a could-be party leader, a could-be prime minister to come out on best television time - what more could one ask for? The programme was framed around an informal talk between 4 men, who had that in common that they have been members of a recent goverment committee dealing with the role of men as fathers - the so called Pappa-committee. Of the other three men, one was also working in the political field, another was a wellknown TV profile, and the third a disabled olympic medallist. The programme was hosted by journalist Annika Hagstroem. After a presentation of each of the men, they were supposed to talk about their own experience of being a father or wanting to be a father. They were further supposed to discuss the relations they had had with their own fathers. But as it turned out the programme dealt more with Carlgren's homosexuality than with anything else. I estimate that the focus was on Carlgren more than 30 minutes of the 1 hour programme, whereas the other men got less than 10 minutes each. Carlgren (36), who has been married and is a father of three kids, was given time to describe his coming out process. The ordinary story, how he step by step had walked from self-denial to self-acceptance. How he first told his wife about his homosexuality, later his children, the family, friends, the members of the pappa-committee, his party colleagues etc. He talked with appreciation of his wife's reaction, of her understanding and her capacity to cope with her new situation. The couple is now divorced. When asked if he had thought of the consequences of his coming out, it was made clear by his answer that he knew what he was talking about. He said, "that the important thing now is not how my surrounding is reacting - but how I am responding to my surroundings reactions - and I am prepaired to take the consequences of these reactions." The three other men were wholely supporting Carlgren's decision to come out. In fact one could say, that they were perfect role-models for other heterosexuals by their supportive and affirmative behaviour. They were even more intolerant and aggressive than Carlgren himself, when possible negative reactions from the Center party was discussed. When asked if a future Swedish prime minister could be gay their answer was a firm yes. "It is a question of positions that have to be moved forward" they said, "and someone has to be the one to do that job." The news programme that followed was a contrast to the previous programme. Carlgren's coming was discussed and Center politicians from the Swedish countryside were intervied. Their reactions make it hard to believe that Carlgren at present has a future is party leader. One local politician said "I do not personally mind his homosexuality and think he could be our next party leader, but others have a different opinion, and therefore I think it is impossible." One interviewed person talked about homosexuality as being "somewhat odd." Another person questioned the attitudes Carlgren in future would be guided by in his political work, and if this attitude would be that of Center supporters? MP Andreas Carlgrens public coming out is a bomb in Swedish politics - for the gay and lesbian community it is a victory. If you want to express your appreciation or support to Carlgren, I am still for the next few days faxing your emails to the Center Party Office. /Bjorn CORRECTION: In an earlier message I wrote that the name of the first out Swedish MP was Kenneth Carlsson. That name should be Kent Carlsson.