We asked the artist Sam Hultin, which, in collaboration with RFSL Stockholm, often makes the stories and history of LGBTI people visible, to tell about Kjell ”Millan” Öhman - a beloved member of the Gayseniors and an esteemed veteran of RFSL. Millan passed away on July 27 this year, just a few days before his 90th birthday. He leaves behind many memories, laughter and strong imprints in our hearts.
“I first met Millan in 2019. I was supposed to interview him about his memories of the pioneer Eva-Lisa Bengtson, but I soon realized that he had a lot more to tell. I just had to sit back and go with the flow. At breakneck speed, he told me about his childhood in Söder in Stockholm, with the mother who didn't think her son's homosexuality was something to fight about and who let Kjell's gay friends come and hang out there. One of them even moved in for a while.
How he was too young to join the RFSL when it was formed in 1950, but applied for membership as soon as he was 18 and was soon given the role of secretary. Those were the days when you needed to be ”approved” by two former members to be admitted. He told of exciting erotic encounters with other men in bathhouses (Forsgrenska was the closest), in parks and in pissoirs.
About how he got his ”maiden name” Millan - a tradition that existed in gay circles at the time as a way to mark belonging. About the strong community with his ”sisters”: Anna-Bella, Norwegian Märta, Ragnhild and Lisa from Skåne, and about how they went to cooking classes and ”Straus parties” with the chef and party planner Madame Sophie at Göta gille and at RFSL's masquerade parties at Fjädern on Gärdet. For the parties, they had often made up extravagant dresses themselves (Skånska Lisa was always dressed as Anita Ekberg) and on site they walked as mannequins on the temporary catwalk in the banquet hall. Both time and money were spent on creating the most eye-catching creation and the best dressed received a prize.
He described an unusually open homosexual life for the time, where he and his friends could walk down Östgötagatan in their crinolines and respond wittily to the cheeky comments of the youth gangs. It was precisely this witty, often acidic, repartee - a real art in gay culture - that Millan mastered to the full. However, this skill should not be mistaken for arrogance - Millan was witty but at the same time warm and generous.
Throughout the years Millan continued to be active in RFSL, from the first premises on Bondegatan, which was rented by IOGT-NTO (after beer bottles were left in the premises, RFSL left), to Timmy on Timmermansgatan and from 1989 Hus1 on Sveavägen. Millan was an early participant in the start of Gayseniorerna, which was formed in 1987. He was to be a very popular and active member until his death.
Last spring I did a final interview with Millan and made sure to digitize his amazing photo album with pictures from the parties at Göta gille and Fjädern. The interview and the physical albums will soon be available on Queer Movement Archive & Library - QRAB in Gothenburg thanks to Millan's good friend Richard Hedström. I am grateful that Millan so generously shared his stories so that not only those of us who had the pleasure of knowing him can share his hilarious, exciting and important stories.”
Sam Hultin
We remember Millan with warmth, respect and gratitude.
RFSL Stockholm
