Bögbibblan is run by Makz Bjuggfält and Milla Leskinen, who have created the platform to highlight contemporary and historical LGBTQI+ literature. In an interview with Makz, we get to learn about their work, how Makz views LGBTQI+ storytelling, and what he is most looking forward to about Pride.

Hi Makz! Who are YOU?
- My name is Makz Bjuggfält and I really enjoy reading. Before I started Bögbibblan, I studied literary studies.

What is the Gay Bible?
- When I finished my studies in 2018, I asked myself the question 'What will become of everything I have learned at university?'. At the same time, I missed talking and socializing about literature. That's when I started the Instagram account Bögbibblan, which focuses on LGBTQI+ literature. I think many others also missed conversations that touch on LGBTQI+ because we got a lot, and a great response early on. Today, my friend Milla Leskinen and I run Bögbibblan on a non-profit basis. So we sit in the evenings and sometimes nights and plan various Bögbibblan things. We also arrange events where authors can meet a queer audience, and straight people who are interested too, of course. The idea is to create many points of contact between people who are interested in reading in one way or another, whether they read themselves or just want to be a part of all the storytelling.

What is your message?
- Sometimes there is the notion that you are alone with your experiences. In this case, I am thinking of LGBTQI+ people who may feel that there is a lack of stories out there that they can identify with. I have also thought about that idea. But that is not the case. There are a lot of stories, books and films to see and people who have experienced and described similar things to myself. I think it is nice to highlight those stories and show that they are here for us to discover and that no one should have to go around thinking that they are alone in their experiences. Books and literature can really be a way away from that difficult feeling. That is the driving force behind Bögbibblan and what I do.

How has LGBTQI+ literature appeared in history?
- Queerness in history is something we have looked back at in the podcast. For example, we have done an episode where we look at how queerness has been experienced by different generations in the 20th century, among other things. But we have also looked further back in time and there are such gaps in history where it is obvious that there must be some queer person who has experienced something here. For some reason it is not heard, but once you start digging and reading and getting into history, it is as if voices are brought to life. Suddenly history is full of a multitude of queer voices. Queer people have always existed and always will exist. And our stories are worth telling and it is so beautiful to live in the time that we live in right now. Today I feel that more queer stories are allowed to be told.

What are you most looking forward to about Pride?
- I look forward to the pride being bustling, with all the different things that pride can be. Something I think is important and that I hope all pride movements around Sweden and in other parts of the world pay attention to is the resilience that exists in pride. Of course it is a party and it is nice that we take care of each other and celebrate and show that we can be many together. But in the same breath we can remember all those who cannot make it to a pride regardless of the reason. It is important that we do not forget that all the queer people exist and also need to receive love and attention. So we can have the party but also remember the resistance and care for all those who do not have the opportunity to celebrate in the same way.

Which LGBTQ+ book do you recommend for families with children?
- A book I've fallen in love with that came out last year is "Sex, a Historical Journey" by Elin Hägg. It's aimed at young people and touches on sex historically. It has a more non-normative starting point, and perhaps doesn't tell the story that has already been told over and over again. And I think it could be fun with this type of non-fiction book that you have in your home, can return to and that you might not read from start to finish. When you're eight years old, you might get hooked on the pictures, and when you're twelve, you might have discovered something else exciting. This type of non-fiction book can open up so many conversations. There should be non-fiction books about people that haven't been told much about before. Then I also recommend "Queera times" by Edward Summanen. It's perhaps more for younger teenagers, while "Sex, a Historical Journey" is a bit more child-friendly.

Do you have anything else you would like to say to our readers?
- Your readers are probably already so smart! But what I want to say to everyone is: buy more books. Buy books that you can have at home and that you can give away. If you find a good book, buy three of it and you can have it as a going-away gift. Everyone is happy with a book.

Thank you so much Makz for letting us interview you and for making LGBTQ+ literature visible and spreading it!💜

Text: Emmy Edman