An organisation promoting peace in Sweden has unveiled a new way of discouraging Russian submarines from covertly entering Swedish waters: an underwater system pinging out a sonar message in Morse code saying “This way if you are gay.”
The so-called Singer Sailor, a neon shirtless seaman who thrusts his crotch in the direction of potential enemy invaders, was just installed in the Stockholm archipelago by the Swedish Peace & Arbitration Society (SPAS), which claims it is more robust way of bulking up the Scandinavian country’s defences.
A schematic of The Singing Sailor in action
Sweden made international headlines in October 2014 when the country’s navy launched a large-scale underwater operation after reports of foreign submarine activity in Swedish waters. While it was widely believed that the vessel in question had come from Russia, Sweden’s military officials were neither able to confirm or even locate the mysterious submersible.
Since then, the country’s ability to mount a credible defence to an increased Russian military presence in northern Europe and the Baltic Sea has become a focal point of political debate in Sweden, with the nation’s government, a Social Democrat and Green Party coalition, announcing a new 10.2bn Krona (€1.1bn) deal to improve the country’s army and navy.
But SPAS believes in extending the hand of friendship to Russia, by announcing via the ‘Singing Sailor Underwater Defence System’ a Russian-language message reading, “Welcome to Sweden – Gay since 1944.”
Placed under the water just east of the capital on April 27th, now any basking submarines will encounter the message and the animated neon sign of a brief-wearing sailor as well as the Morse code invitation to follow his lead. The Russian-language message refers to the year in which Sweden officially decriminalised homosexuality.
The ‘Singing Sailor’ is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Russian government’s staunchly anti-gay laws, which run counter to the liberal views of the majority of Swedes. The community of Nordic nations has been very critical of Moscow’s controversial legislation outlawing “propaganda” directed at minors offering any reference to “non-traditional sexual relations.”
"If there is a submarine down there beneath the Baltic waves and the crew should happen to see or hear the ‘Singing Sailor’ they are welcome to join us in the Stockholm Pride Parade on August 1st," Daniel Holking, SPAS communications and fundraising manager said in a statement.
"In times of unrest, love and peace across boundaries is more important than ever. We want to break up with the violence. Our invitation is also extended to Swedish subs and military personnel and all others that want to join us," he added.
"If military actions and weapons had functioned as conflict resolution methods there would be peace in the world a long time ago," Anna Ek, SPAS president added.
Vladimir Putin could not be reached at the time of going to print, though Newstalk is hopeful he will be touched by 'The Singing Sailor' and his message of peace.
