You came for meatballs, but IKEA gave you glitter, flags, and a bear in a Pride cowboy hat. That’s what happened to one unsuspecting TikToker who walked into the iconic Swedish flatpack paradise only to find a full-blown Pride parade marching down the aisles—unicorns, Care Bears, and all.
The video, posted by TikTok user “kenyavargas98,” captures the surreal moment. Set to the unmistakable beat of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” shoppers were treated to a display of pure queer joy: rainbow flags waving, IKEA staff dancing, and decorated floats rolling through like they were trying to win Best in Show at Stockholm Pride. “Came to IKEA and they had a Pride parade,” the on-screen text read, and honestly, same.
With over three million views and counting, the moment struck a nerve—one drenched in love, glitter, and excellent corporate allyship. IKEA followed up with a statement that felt more like a warm hug than a press release: “We’re proud to stand for love, equality, and being who you are. Always.” They dropped the 🌈 emoji, too, just in case there was any doubt.
Blåhaj and the Art of Queer Symbolism
Naturally, commenters demanded to know one thing: “Where is Blåhaj?”—a now-legendary plush shark that’s become something of a transgender icon. While the shark didn’t make a splash at the in-store parade, its symbolic power was felt. Since surfacing on Tumblr in the late 2010s, Blåhaj has become a cuddly stand-in for gender euphoria. It currently boasts over 130 five-star reviews on the IKEA site, many written like heartfelt love letters to the polyester sea creature.
And the floats? Apparently, they weren’t just for fun. One viewer noticed the numbers on each one and speculated it might’ve been a staff competition. If true, give every one of those employees a raise. Or at least another meatball.
LGBTQ+ Visibility, One Aisle at a Time
This IKEA moment wasn’t just cute—it mattered. In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being debated and restricted across the globe, visibility in everyday spaces is a quiet, powerful rebellion. Watching queer joy erupt not at a nightclub or pride festival but between shelves of bookshelves and shower curtains is a reminder that our community belongs everywhere.
The world may still be arguing over pronouns and bathroom bills, but in that IKEA store, the message was simple: love wins—and it looks damn good with a KALLAX unit.
As one viewer put it: “This is actually really dangerous because it might slow me down and make me buy even more stuff that I don’t need.” And honestly? Worth it.