A Swedish peace group has devised a unique way of fending off unwanted naval intrusions after reports of Russian submarines entering the country's territorial waters last year — erecting a device that taps out in Morse code: “This way if you are gay.”
The broadcasting device, which has been lowered into the sea near Stockholm, is also covered by a flashing neon sign that shows a sailor gyrating back and forth in nothing but skimpy pants, according to a video published last week by The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, the group behind the move .
“Welcome to Sweden, gay since 1944” reads the neon sign in English. Sweden decriminalized homosexuality 71 years ago, while Russia recently banned the promotion of “gay propaganda” to minors in what critics say represents a crackdown on LGBT rights.
The Swedish military was put on high alert last fall after reports of submarine sightings in its territorial waters amid rising tensions between Russia and the West over the crisis in Ukraine. Moscow has denied that the alleged vessels belonged to its navy.
Since then there have been calls to raise defense spending in Sweden, although the peace group in a video suggests that its “Singing Sailor” is a much more cost-effective way to fend off unwanted intrusions.
“Instead of angry threats, any visitors will now receive a warm welcome” to Sweden, the peace group said.
The project comes after neighboring Finland last month fired a depth charge in a warning to a suspected submarine in its waters near Helsinki.
Watch the video here:
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