Body and trans activist Louise Sundqvist, known as @en.transsexuelle.louise on Instagram, wants to reflect several aspects of her life that others can identify with. In the interview with Louise, we go through Instagram, life and how to make life a little better for yourself.

Who are you?

- My name is Louise Sundqvist and I am a public figure, body activist and trans activist. The reason I am on social media is to make people feel that there is someone on social media that they can relate to. I want people to be able to feel represented through me and my content, that "hey, there is actually someone who is actually like me, who is there and it is okay that I exist and exist".

What do you want to tell with your Instagram?

- My Instagram is a bit of an all-in-one. It's my life and my Instagram should kind of reflect several aspects of it. It reflects the great joy but also the hopelessness you can feel as a human being when life doesn't go as planned and gets tough. There's also a lot about the body that I want to normalize, that bodies should be allowed to exist and just be. I also show my journey as a trans person, how I navigate society and then my interests: beauty, clothes, makeup and various important topics.

Name your three most important things right now.

- My friend taught me an expression. There's an expression called triggers, something that triggers you. The opposite of that is called glimmers. Glimmers are things that make you feel good, sparkle and get happy and excited. So to chase glimmers every day – big and small – but some glimmer every day that you can live on.

Being true to yourself is very important no matter what it is, if it's that I want to wear these clothes and then I wear them. Or if I need to cry, that's okay. Then I shouldn't suppress the feeling but just let myself feel it.

The third thing is to take it one day at a time. That's kind of the most important thing for me right now. There's a lot going on in life.

What makes you happy?

- Color! I love color. It triggers dopamine. I think about when you walk by and see a beautifully painted wall or a person with a lovely outfit. It makes me happy.

What makes you sad?

- Many things. But prejudices in general. Assumptions and judging people.

What are you most looking forward to about Pride?

- What I'm most looking forward to about Pride is the community. It's a time where we in LGBTQ get to rise and shine and really feel like we're celebrating. We continue to be visible, we don't give up and we're here. Because even though we've come a long way, many people are afraid to meet. At the same time, it's very difficult to find their people. There are definitely groups and Instagram accounts, but I think Pride will also be a sanctuary where people can just be who they are. That's how it should be all year long. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that, but it's still a time where we can thrive and just be and exist, and I'm looking forward to it so much.


Do you have any tips or advice for our readers?

- Be true to yourself. And it's okay not to be liked by everyone. It's something
which I myself have started to process recently. As a human being, you want to be liked and liked by others, but that is also such a high requirement. Because if you are to be liked by everyone, you have to change all the time and we as humans should just be allowed to feel that "I like myself and I have my people and that is enough" and let go of the demands to be liked by everyone because it is so inhuman that it is not possible. Dare to be unpopular, dare to be unique and do your thing and remember that there are people who like you. Your people are there. And try to find some glimmer every day and persevere. Find little things that take you a little bit further. It is very important.

Most listened to song now?

- “3 Nights” by Dominic Fike. It’s so good and I found that song on TikTok. I just thought, “God, what a nice beat, I like this.” It’s a song you can put on in the car with the windows down with a friend and just rock out. I put it on in the shower, when I’m cooking, sitting in bed maybe putting on makeup or just wanting to vibe.

Thank you so much Louise for letting us interview you! 💖

Text: Emmy Edman