Finland actively promotes the rights of sexual and gender minorities

Human rights are universal and belong to all. The rights of sexual and gender minorities are among the priorities of Finland's human rights policy. Finland promotes the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the world both by being active in political forums and by providing financial support.

Kuvassa pohjoismaiden edustustojen työntekijöitä Pride-lippujen kanssa Hanoissa.
Finnish missions abroad took part in Pride and IDAHOT (International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) Day events in different countries around the world. The Nordic Embassies supported the Hanoi Pride 2019 together. Photo: Victoria Tilsted

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad are promoting non-discrimination in many ways.

Promotion of non-discrimination in the world

Non-discrimination and inclusion are among the cross-cutting themes of Finland’s human rights policy. We are committed to working for the elimination of all forms of discrimination. We work in close cooperation with other governments and civil society representatives. By way of example, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs supports human rights defenders and cooperates with them in matters relating to the promotion of the rights of sexual and gender minorities.

Finnish missions abroad follow the position of LGBTI people and developments in the area closely. We raise the question of non-discrimination in our bilateral meetings and at events in international forums.

Cooperation in international forums

Finland takes part in the development of the rights of LGBTI people in such international forums as the EU, the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

Finland actively implements EU policies concerning the rights of LGBTI people. We seek to ensure that the EU is consistent in its actions within the Union and in relation to third countries.  Additionally, Finland raises individual cases for discussion and follows judicial proceedings together with the other EU countries and like-minded countries.

Finland also raises the position of LGBTI people for discussion in connection with the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Human Rights. Finland gives its firm support to the resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council and other UN bodies that deal with the rights of LGBTI people. We support the mandate of the Independent Expert(Link to another website.), established by the Human Rights Council.

Financial support

We provide financial support to many civil society organisations and projects promoting LGBTI rights. For example, Finland is one of the biggest supporters of the Global Equality Fund(Link to another website.).