Swedish group aims to scare off Russian subs with gay sailor sign

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 12 (UPI) -- A Swedish peace group has introduced an innovative way to keep Russian submarines out of Swedish waters: A neon sign featuring a dancing gay sailor.

The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society said "The Singing Sailor Underwater Defense System," a response to numerous reports of Russian submarines being spotted in Swedish areas of the Baltic Sea during the past year, features the neon image of a shirtless sailor gyrating his hips while "this way if you are gay" is transmitted through the water in Morse Code.

"Welcome to Sweden -- gay since 1944," the sign reads in English and Russian.

The group said the sign was lowered into the Baltic Sea at the location of a reported Russian sub sighting in late April.

The sign's sexuality is inspired by Russia's restrictive law against "propaganda" seen to promote acceptance of "non-traditional sexual relationships" in children.

"If military action and weapons had worked as conflict resolution methods, there would have been peace in the world long ago," Anna Ek, chair of the SPAS, wrote on the group's website.

Ek said any Russian submarine crews who encounter the sign are invited to join her group at the Aug. 1 Gay Pride Parade in Stockholm.