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Finland gay rights

The Current Status of Rights for Rainbow Families in Finland

A few days ago, Ilga-Europe published its annual Rainbow Europe map tracking the status of LGBTI rights in Europe, mention by state. Finland got fairly high standing in the records. Rainbow Europe map indicates the status of legislation. Finland own recently taken major legal steps, like marriage equality and maternity act. Both of these have been passes by the citizens’ initiatives. However, the previous government (2015-2019) was very passive in LGBTI rights.

There are still major legal shortcomings in Finland, but what is lacking even more is the enforcment of the non-discrimination and wellbeing policies for the LGBTIQ people, as the Finnish LGBTI association Seta has stated in their (Finnish language) article about the Rainbow Europe chart. Finland needs a national LGBTI Action Plan for the government.

What is the current status of rights for the rainbow families in Finland? Nelfa, the European umbrella assocation for rainbow families associations, hold decided to compile a database and a blueprint about the rainbow family rights all over the Europe. Sateenkaariperheet ry has been asked to offer a review on the c

LGBTI milestones in Finland

1889 Homosexuality is considered a crime in the new Penal Code and punishable by a maximum of two years’ imprisonment.

1969 The first LGBT rights organization in Finland, Psyke ry, is founded.

1971 Homosexuality is decriminalized; however its ”promotion” remains illegal.

1974 SETA ry is founded.

1981 Homosexuality is removed from the national classification of diseases.

1986 Seta founds the Hiv foundation and its Aids assist centres around the country.

1991 Seta is transformed into a primary organisation of LGBT associations. Local Seta associations are founded in different parts of Finland.

1994 The Transgender Support Centre is founded by Seta.

1995 Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited.

1999 The Criminal Code is revised, setting the age of consent equivalent for same-sex and straight sexual relations. The prohibition of ”promotion of homosexuality” is finally removed.

2001 The law on ”registered partnership” is adopted. The law is similar to the law on marriage, with exception for the rights to take the spouse’s surname and to adopt children.

2002 The law on gender recognition for trans pers

LGBTQ+ RIGHTS

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans person (LGBT) rights in Finland are some of the most linear in the world. Finland is currently ranked as having the fourth-best laws and policies in the world that protect the rights of the LGBT+ people, according to ILGA-Europe advocacy organization. ILGA-Europe is the leading LGBTI advocacy organisation in Europe, covering the whole of Europe and advocating professionally in all of the European institutions central to human rights and non-discrimination.

According to the rights group, the list’s rankings are based on: equality and non-discrimination, family, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition and bodily integrity, civil society space as well as asylum.

LGBTQ Rights in a nutshell

Homosexual activity: Legal since 1971

Same-sex marriage: Legal since 2017

Same-sex adoption: Step-child adoption since 2009

LGBT discrimination: Illegal since 2004

Equal age of consent: Equal since 1999

Learn more about LGBT rights in Equaldex.

History of LGBTQ rights

Homosexuality has been decriminalized since 1971, and was declassified as an illness in 1981, around the same time as in other European countri

LGBTIQ Rights in Finland – Seta

  • Human rights advocacy organisation
  • Founded in 1974
  • 50 member organisations
  • Activities all over the country
  • The activities also include social perform and youth work
  • Runs the Gender Diversity & Intersex Centre of Expertise and Online Youth home Loiste
  • Works in partnership with other non-governmental organizations and authorities in Finland and internationally
  • A member of the following organizations: ILGA-Europe, Transgender Europe, IGLYO, SOSTE Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health, Finnish Youth Cooperation – Allianssi, Family Federation of Finland and Finnish Development NGOs Fingo. Supportive member of Finnish League for human rights and European Womxn loving womxn Community.
  • The office is located in Merihaka in Helsinki
  • Employs currently 14 people
  • The main funders are STEA and the Ministry of Education and Culture

 

Seta – LGBTIQ Rights in Finland is a national human rights NGO. Seta aims for a society of equality and individual welfare that includes everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender verbalization and sex characteristics. Seta has 50 member organisations around the country (during year 2024)