Meet Elias Fjellander, 20, chairman of RFSL Ungdom. He fights for LGBTQI rights and we caught up with him for a chat. We talked about what his grandmother meant to him, the importance of standing up for your values ​​and what made him cycle to the city library every day after school.

Hi Elias! What has led you to where you are today?

– I grew up with a mother who came to Sweden as a refugee in the 80s and a father who is a social studies teacher. We have always talked a lot and as a ten-year-old I cycled to the city library every day after school. I started reading about injustice and that sparked my thirst for social justice.

How come you're working on it now too?

– In 2018, we in Sweden received many migrants and RFSL started a major effort to meet the needs of newly arrived, asylum seekers and undocumented LGBTQI people. Somewhere along the way, societal attitudes shifted and suddenly politicians started talking about how we should keep people fleeing war and misery away from Europe. I thought that the rights of LGBTQI people, both in Sweden, Europe and globally, would also be questioned. That's why I chose to get involved, to maintain our rights!

What gives you the strength to push?

– Supportive people, my own drive and an opportunity that I took. Those three pieces made me where I am today. The presidency of RFSL Ungdom is a full-time assignment so I dropped out of high school for this. My parents were skeptical at first but they saw that I had a plan, that it wasn't an impulsive decision. I think dad wanted to make sure that I had good conditions to make informed life choices. His role is not to control or supervise, but to make sure that I do what I think is fun and important.

I explained that I wanted to make a difference, and with this assignment I got a chance to do so. High school is also important, but what is going through high school for another year compared to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? It was now or never! I also have super supportive friends and a grandmother who I am very close to. She is a true icon.

What does a workday or week look like for you?

– I have a role that is a bit of a jack of all trades. An overall responsibility for the board's work and then a part where I am responsible for our political work. We have activities around everything from HIV prevention to psychosocial support for teenagers who have been exposed to sexual violence, and helping municipalities to start meeting places for young LGBTQI people.

A typical workday might involve me waking up around eight... I'm still a teenager! I have a few digital meetings to check in with colleagues, meet with some politicians or government officials, answer emails. I also work a lot with my own social media to reach out to our members, young LGBTQI people.

In the evening I might go to a gathering that some organization or think tank has invited me to. Then I go home around 7-8 pm, answer some emails. and watch some series. My guilty pleasure is American police series.

What is the most fun thing about the job?

– To meet all the amazing LGBTQI people around the country. To see how happy people are, and how much Pride celebrations and other meetings between LGBTQI people mean to the target group.

But there is a difference between a position of trust and a regular job. This is not a 9-5 job, but a mission I have all the time, no matter what day it is. Of course you have to be able to set boundaries and hang out with family and friends, but if there is a crisis, I need to solve it no matter what day or time it is. Even though it takes a lot of time, that is also the great thing: that our members have chosen me. It is fantastic!

What do you feel young people worry about the most?

– We are really seeing a wave of LGBTQ-hating opinions. Like this with Dragstory hour in Kalmar, where there was an SD guy on the cultural committee who wanted to go in and control what the library has on the program. It's not just a problem that a politician wants to control in detail, but it gives a gesture that it's okay for politicians to attack LGBTQ people.

We have elected officials who are actively trying to make life worse for LGBTQI people. This has consequences both politically and socially, culturally and economically. Pride flags are being dragged down, funding for LGBTQI organizations is being cut, and LGBTQI rights are being weakened. I see it everywhere in the country.

We in Sweden have an image that we are so good at LGBTQI issues, that we are tolerant and equal, but that is quite far from the truth. In the last two years, RFSL Ungdom has broken membership records. I don't think it's because we have become 1000 times better at communication, but because people feel they need to take a stand.

What do you dream about going forward?

– By 2030, I hope that we have succeeded in reversing the political developments we are seeing, and have been able to foster progressive values ​​where young people stand up for each other in their everyday lives, where there is a sense of solidarity. The overall dream is that LGBTQI people should be able to be themselves, feel good and live a pretty decent life. I don't think that's too much to ask for.

Do you have any role models?

– Many! I have many super cool friends who work with justice and democracy issues in different ways. But if I were to name three, it would be Noura Berrouba, chairwoman of LSU, the platform organization for youth organizations, I admit the difference - but she is a fantastic, cool, competent and supportive person who always wants to involve others in her work.

Birgitta Dahl for her work with parental insurance and women's and men's rights.

The third person I won't mention by name. He's an activist from Russia who I've met several times. A person who, despite all the crappy laws in Russia that make it impossible to even walk the streets in a small Pride parade, has managed to build an LGBTQI community locally, with peer-to-peer support. LGBTQI people are everywhere and are fighting for our rights, even in authoritarian and repressive states.

What are your glimmers in everyday life?

– I always get really happy when I see uncool young people who obviously stand for who they are. It takes such incredible courage.

Being in the library! I have never met a profession that is as incredibly nice as librarians, so shout out to them. It is so special to enter that environment: the quiet rustle, the whispers, and when you go to the information desk it is so obvious that no matter who you are, they will help you find something to read.

What would you like to send to our readers?

– There’s a cringe quote that says “no one can do everything, but everyone can do something,” and that’s true. I think it’s incredibly important to stand up for your values. It could be talking to your colleagues during a coffee break, joining an organization that stands for good things, or sharing good things on social media. Ask yourself that question every morning when you brush your teeth: what can I do today?

When will you recover?

– I try to carve out 3-4 free hours a week and those hours are sacred. Sometimes I just lie like a starfish in bed and stare at the ceiling, sometimes I hang out with my little sister, or clean - things you also have to do when you live on your own! And the fight also requires that you take breaks!

Do you have any tips for our readers? Book recommendations, Instagram accounts, life hacks, or similar?

– Detransition baby by Torrey Peters is a fantastically exciting book that challenges our view of gender and norms.

The Second Sex by Simone Debevoir, a challenging book, incredibly old but still challenges norms that remain in our society.

Thank you so much for the important work you do and for letting us talk to you! 💖

Follow Elias on Instagram: @eliasfjellander

Become a member of RFSL youth: here!