Petter Wallenberg, Lady Bunny, and Rainbow Riots Uganda Join Forces for Pride Anthem “My Love (is the way it’s supposed to be)”

Lately, the rainbow music scene has been absolutely delivering. From club bangers to heartfelt ballads, we’ve been fed. And Swedish artist, producer, and LGBTQ+ activist Petter Wallenberg clearly didn’t want to miss the moment. Just in time for World Pride, he’s back with a bold new anthem: My Love (is the way it’s supposed to be). A euphoric disco track that’s as much a celebration as it is a protest.

Teaming up with the iconic New York drag queen Lady Bunny and queer performers from Uganda, where simply being LGBTQ+ is a criminal act, Wallenberg has created a track that spans continents and carries a powerful message. Released through his non-profit Rainbow Riots, the song turns up the volume on queer joy while shining a spotlight on global LGBTQ+ resistance.

“In a world where hostility against LGBTQ+ people is on the rise,” Petter says, “this song is our way of saying: we exist, we love and we won’t be erased. Using disco, drag and defiancy, this song is both a Pride celebration and a protest at the same time! As the lyrics say: my love is the way it’s supposed to be!”

That’s not just a lyric, it’s a rallying cry. And Lady Bunny, never one to hold back, puts it perfectly: “I hope that our new tune brings people together on the dance floor! But there’s also a message of standing up together against anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry worldwide. First we dance, then we fight!”

And dance we shall. My Love is available in three different editions—Disco, Afrobeat, and Ballad—each composed and produced by Wallenberg with unique instrumentation and vocal recordings made in different countries. It’s a sonic love letter to the idea that queer love has many voices, and every single one deserves to be heard.

Catch the music video for My Love (is the way it’s supposed to be) below and turn it all the way up.

This isn’t just a Pride bop, it’s a lifeline. The single arrives at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat globally. In the U.S., we’re seeing waves of anti-queer legislation. In Uganda, the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act introduced horrifying penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death sentence for LGBTQ+ people. Many of the Ugandan artists featured on the track face daily risks just for existing.

But they’re not backing down. “We are human beings,” says one of the Ugandan activists on the track. “We sing songs to encourage others to live, be happy, to be recognised as human beings.”

Petter and Lady Bunny will perform My Love (is the way it’s supposed to be) live on June 8th at World Pride in Washington D.C., during a special event hosted by the Swedish Embassy. Wallenberg will also be speaking at Pride events around D.C., including the National Theatre and the Norwegian Embassy, using his platform to highlight the power of creativity in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

And if you needed one more reason to hit play: all proceeds from the single go directly to Rainbow Riots’ critical work supporting queer activists in hostile environments. So whether you’re dancing in your bedroom or out in the streets, remember: our love is the way it’s supposed to be…free.

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My Love (is the way it’s supposed to be) is available to stream on all major music platforms. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!

Featured Image: Image Courtesy of Rainbow Riots