LGBT history in Finland
This article is about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) history in Finland.
Timeline of the legislation
- 1894 Homosexuality is criminalized in the new Criminal Code and punishable by a maximum of two years in prison.[1]
- 1971 Homosexuality is decriminalized,[2] but "promotion" of it remains illegal.[1]
- 1981 Homosexuality is removed from the illness classification list.[1]
- 1995 Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited in the Criminal Code.[1]
- 1999 The Criminal Code is revised, ruling that there is no longer any age of consent difference between sexual acts performed by heterosexuals and those performed by homosexuals. The prohibition of "promotion of homosexuality" is removed.[3]
- 2001 The Act on Registered Partnerships[4] is passed in the Parliament. It follows the same regulations as the Marriage Act (for different-sex couples), though excluding the right to take the spouse's name and the right of adoption. The law comes into force on March 1, 2002, and the first couples are registered on March 8.[5]
- 2003 The law on the gender confirmation of transgender individuals[6] comes into force.
- 2004 The Non-Discrimination Act[7] comes into force on February 1, prohibiting direct and indirect discrimination and harassment based on age, ethnic or national origin, citizenship, language, religion, belief, opinion, health, disability, sexual orientation or any other ground in connection to the person.
- 2005 The revised Act on Gender Equality[8] comes into force on June 1, 2005. According to a report[9] by the Parliamentary Employment and Equality Committee, the revised Act is —under the rulings of Court of Justice of the European Union— to be interpreted in the way that the Section 7 prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex covers also transgenderindividuals.
- 2007 The Act on Assisted Fertility Treatments[10] enters into force on September 1, 2007. The law allows treatments also for single women and female couples. Prior to the law, a number of clinics have provided treatments for female couples. Surrogacy remains illegal.
- 2009 The Act on
- 2011 The Finnish fetishistic transvestism, sadomasochism and multiple disorders of sexual preference from its illness classification.[14]
- 2023 A new law on change of legal gender is enacted, allowing transgender people self-determination in this matter.[15]
Dismissal of editor-in-chief Johanna Korhonen
LGBT rights in Finnish worklife drew heavy attention in the media in late September 2008, when Finnish journalist
However, Korhonen claimed that the real cause was that the company found out about her sexual orientation after the recruitment process, where she simply said she had a spouse and two children, not mentioning her spouse's sex. Arto Nieminen, the spokesman for the Union of Journalists in Finland, said he had never heard of people, applying to become editors-in-chiefs for Alma Media newspapers, being asked about the political activity of their spouses.[17] Korhonen also alleged that Alma Media offered her €100,000 for not disclosing the cause of dismissal.[18] Telanne denied her allegation, saying the sum was a severance payment not paid in reward for falling silent for the cause.[19]
Korhonen filed a lawsuit at Helsinki District Court against Alma Media for the dismissal she deemed unlawful.[20] In June 2009, Korhonen lost the case and was required to pay €8,000 in court costs,[21] but she appealed the decision to Helsinki Court of Appeals, which judged the case in favor of Korhonen awarding her a total of €80,400 for wrongful termination.[22][23] Two months later, on May 17, Alma Media requested a leave to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.[24] On February 1, 2011, the Supreme Court refused to grant the leave to appeal, determining the case in Korhonen's favor and forcing Alma Media to pay Korhonen the €80,400.[25]
Sex reassignment of former Vicar Marja-Sisko Aalto
On November 11, 2008, the then-Vicar of Imatra parish Marja-Sisko Aalto told the media that she was a
July 2010 Helsinki pride parade attack and vandalism against HeSeta's office
The 2010 Helsinki Pride week organized by HeSeta, Helsinki branch of Finnish LGBT rights organization
The attack was condemned by several major politicians, including President Tarja Halonen,[33] Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi,[34] Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb,[35] and Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors.[36]
On July 8, the headquarters of HeSeta, Helsinki branch of Finnish LGBT rights organization Seta, was attacked when its windows were broken and swastikas were sprayed on the doors.[37]
A few politicians of the
Homoilta and resignations from the Evangelical Lutheran Church
The debate over gay marriage has also influenced the statistics of people leaving the
The TV debate kept the LGBT issues in general in public discussion and on November 3, 2010, numerous celebrities including Ministers Tuija Brax and Alexander Stubb appeared on a YouTube video Kaikki muuttuu paremmaksi ("Everything Will Get Better") encouraging gay and lesbian teenagers to feel comfortable with their sexuality. The video was inspired by the American It Gets Better Project aimed against suicides among gay and lesbian teenagers.[49]
2012 Presidential election
Gay men's blood donations
In December 2013, the Finnish Medicines Agency changed its long-contested rules on blood donations, repealing a permanent ban for men who have had sex with men (MSM) and setting a one-year deferral.[51]
Studies
The YLE News organization published an article which estimated that 10%-20% of the Finnish population may be homosexual or have had homosexual attraction.[52]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Seksuaalinen tasavertaisuus ry. "Milestones – Finnish LGBT History in a Nutshell" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ "Where is it illegal to be gay?". BBC News. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ a b Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "The Criminal Code of Finland" (PDF). Retrieved July 22, 2010.
- ^ a b Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "Act on Registered Partnerships" (PDF). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Washington Times (March 10, 2002). "Finns celebrate first gay 'weddings'". The Washington Times. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "Act on Gender Confirmation of Trans-gendered Persons". Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "Non-Discrimination Act" (PDF). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "Act on Gender Equality" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Parliament of Finland. "Report by the Employment and Equality Committee 3/2005" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "Act on Assisted Fertility Treatments" (PDF). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- Yleisradio (May 15, 2009). "Parliament Approved Adoption for Gay Couples". Archived from the originalon May 18, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "Act on Registered Partnerships" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ Finlex, database of Finnish Acts and Decrees. "Act on Changing Section 9 of Act on Registered Partnerships" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- National Institute for Health and Welfare. 2011-05-12. Archived from the originalon 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ^ Toivonen, Terhi (1 February 2023). "Eduskunta on hyväksynyt uuden translain – katso miten kansanedustajasi äänesti". Yle.
- Sanoma News. October 1, 2008. Archived from the originalon October 3, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Journalistiliiton Arto Nieminen ihmettelee Alman selitystä". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma News. October 1, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- Suomen Tietotoimisto. October 1, 2008. Archived from the originalon October 2, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Alma Media: Korhonen erotettiin epärehellisyyden takia" (in Finnish). MTV3. October 1, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Päätoimittajan pesti peruttiin yllättäen". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Alma Media. Suomen Tietotoimisto. October 1, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Johanna Korhonen hävisi Alma-oikeuden 3–0". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma News. June 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 10, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- Finnish Broadcasting Company. Archived from the originalon May 26, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Court awards journalist Johanna Korhonen EUR 80,000 in wrongful termination case". Helsingin Sanomat. Sanoma News. March 18, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Alma Media hakee valituslupaa Korhos-jutussa". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma News. Suomen Tietotoimisto. May 17, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Johanna Korhonen voitti Alma Median työsyrjintäjutussa". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma News. Suomen Tietotoimisto. February 1, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ Saarinen, Juhani (November 11, 2008). "Kirkkoherra odotti vuosikymmeniä muutosta miehestä naiseksi". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved June 20, 2010.
- ^ Helsingin Sanomat (January 6, 2010). "Almost 600 Left Imatra Parish". Retrieved June 20, 2010.
- yle.fi (March 16, 2010). "Marja-Sisko Aalto Resigns". Archived from the originalon March 23, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
- ^ Helsinki Times (July 5, 2010). "Helsinki Pride Parade Targeted with Pepper Spray". Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ YLE (July 4, 2010). "Gas Attack on Pride Parade "Premeditated"". Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ a b YLE (July 8, 2010). "Security Police: Some of Pride Attack Suspects Have Links to Radical Right" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ "Hyökkäys Pride-kulkueeseen toi syytteet kolmelle". Iltalehti (in Finnish). iltalehti.fi, Alma Media. 2011-03-01. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ^ YLE (July 5, 2010). "Halonen speaks out against pride attack". Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ a b Kainuun Sanomat (July 16, 2010). "Kiviniemi Condemns Hate Attacks" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ Alexander Stubb (July 9, 2010). "We're All Human Beings" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on July 13, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ YLE (July 5, 2010). "Thors Condemns Pride Attack" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ Helsingin Sanomat (July 9, 2010). "Windows Broken and Swastikas Painted at Office of Helsinki's Seta" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ Päivi Räsänen (July 8, 2010). "Acts of Violence" (in Finnish). Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ Asmo Maanselkä (July 9, 2010). "Pride Parade Is Also a Provocation" (in Finnish). Keskisuomalainen. Archived from the original on July 12, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ Iltasanomat (July 9, 2010). "This Is How Party Boss Apologizes for His Controversial Comments" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on July 15, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ eroakirkosta.fi (October 13, 2010). "Statistical Data" (in Finnish). Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ eroakirkosta.fi (October 13, 2010). "Number of Withdrawals from Membership Today" (in Finnish). Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ Helsingin Sanomat (October 13, 2010). "Gay Rights Panel Discussion on YLE Raised the Number of People Leaving the Church" (in Finnish). Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ Yleisradio. "atuubi – to the Point with Attitude (participants)" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
- ^ Eroa kirkosta (October 24, 2010). "Erolaskuri" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on October 21, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ^ Helsingin Sanomat (October 17, 2010). "Mass Resignations from Church Keep Going" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
- ^ Perez Hilton (October 23, 2010). "Thousands of Finnish People Leave State Church after Anti-Gay Comments Made During Televised Debate". Archived from the original on October 26, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
- ^ "Homoilta-ohjelma on vuoden journalistinen teko" (in Finnish). MTV3. March 16, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Helsingin Sanomat (November 4, 2010). "Foreign Minister Stubb in a Video Campaign Supporting Gay Teenagers". Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
- Finnish Broadcasting Company. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- ^ "Homot pääsevät luovuttamaan verta" [Gays allowed to donate blood]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Sanoma News. 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
- ^ "Homot eivät ole kummajaisia!". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2010-07-03. Retrieved 2023-02-02.