Joint statement: Finland needs a comprehensive LGBTIQ+ action plan!

The Student Union of the University of Vaasa, along with over 50 other organizations, demands that Finland create a comprehensive LGBTIQ+ action plan to secure the promotion of the wellbeing and rights of LGBTIQ+ people.

Hate speech, discrimination, and inappropriate treatment directed at LGBTIQ+ people have clearly increased in Finland. This trend is visible in everyday life and in political discourse, for example in the opposition of Pride events and in smear campaigns targeting organizations. Such developments stand in the way of equality. Many are currently questioning whether it is safe to be out in Finland.

Research shows that LGBTIQ+ people, especially youth, experience more bullying, harassment, and violence, and they have more symptoms of anxiety and suicidality than the general population. These are driven by discrimination, insecurity, and a worsening social climate – not by individual characteristics.

Particularly concerning is the politicization of the vital gender-affirming care needed by many trans and non-binary people, as well as the poor availability of this care. Many people are currently left without the treatment they need, which also significantly undermines people’s ability to participate in society.

The current situation is at a standstill: The preparation of a ban on conversion practices has not progressed, and the rights of intersex people have not been secured. International funding for promoting the rights of LGBTIQ+ people has also declined. Cuts targeting civil society organizations are likely to weaken their ability to act against hatred directed at LGBTIQ+ people. 

Finland is the only Nordic country without a comprehensive, government-wide, and systematic LGBTIQ+ policy programme. This is a significant gap that can no longer be ignored.

It is time to take action to strengthen the rights and well-being of LGBTIQ+ people!

The entire comment is available in Finnish on Seta’s website.

Signatories

Aalto University Student Union
Trade Union Pro
Amnesty International Finland
Social Democratic Students
Fiskars Pride
Student Union of the University of Helsinki
Helsinki Pride Community
Hämeenlinna Pride ry
The Finnish League for Human Rights
Inari Pride
Student Union of National Coalition Party (Tuhatkunta)
Kouvolan Seta ry
Lakeuden Sateenkaari
Meri-Lapin Seta ry.
Miehet ry
Moninainen Ruovesi ry
Mummolaakso ry
Mäntsälän Seta ry
The National Council of Women of Finland
Nyyti ry
Finnish Student Sports Federation
Oulun Seta ry
Pohjois-Karjalan Seta ry
Polyamoria ja monisuhteisuus ry
Qaareva ry
Raseborgs Regnbåge rf
Rovaniemen Seta ry
Sateenkaariapila ry
Sateenkaari-ikkuna ry
Sateenkaariperheet ry
Sateenkaariseniorit ry
Seta
Sexpo
Sinuiksi ry
Skinnarilan Poikkitieteellinen Pride Yhdistys ry (SkiPPY)
Sodankylän Seta ry
Sosialidemokraattiset nuoret ry
Finnish Centre Youth
The Union of Upper Secondary School Students in Finland
The Rainbow Police of Finland
The Swedish Youth of Finland
University of the Arts Student Union
Transfeminines NGO
Translasten ja -nuorten perheet ry
Trasek ry
Turku Pride ry
Turun Seudun Mummolaakso ry
Turun seudun Seta ry
The Student Union of the University of Turku
The Student Union of the University of Vaasa
Varkaus Pride ry
Left Students of Finland
Ylöjärvi Pride ry