Here are the most rainbow-friendly cities in Finland

It is still not a given that a person belonging to a sexual minority can spend time freely and enjoy themselves. We found out where in Finland the best conditions are for rainbow people. In Finland, the big cities offer the most interesting things to do for rainbow tourists.

Hannu Medina, an expert specializing in rainbow tourism and communication and co-founder of the We Speak Gay community, recommends three Finnish rainbow-friendly cities worth traveling to this summer:

Helsinki

Helsinki is Finland’s gateway to rainbow tourism, and has by far the most gay bars in Finland. Helsinki also hosts drag brunches and quizzes in bars hosted by drag artists.

The Culture House and the Savoy Theatre will host performances by domestic and international performers who are important to the rainbow community.

Helsinki is also known for its rainbow of artists. Tom of Finland, aka Touko Laaksonen, lived in the capital for a large part of his life. The artist and writer Tove Jansson and her partner, the graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä, also lived in Helsinki.

Hannu Medina’s regular hangout in Helsinki is Pub Fairytale, located in Kallio at Helsinginkatu 7. Medina describes the place as a small, warm, old school gay bar.

Helsinki Pride will be held from June 23rd to 29th.

Tampere

Tampere, along with Jyväskylä, is one of the pioneers of rainbow tourism in Finland.

One of the most famous figures in Tampere’s rainbow history is the architect Wivi Lönn, who was influential in the first half of the 20th century. It is still possible to admire buildings designed by him in the city, such as the Tampere Fire Station and the Commercial College.

For a few years now, the freight station has been organizing Kväär events, which are aimed at queer people and their allies.

The traditional meeting place for the rainbow people, Nightclub Mixei, is located at Itsenäisyydenkatu 7–9. It hosts theme nights, drag shows and singles nights.

Hämeenlinna

Jukka Korkeila’s Darkness is Full of Light exhibition opened at the Hämeenlinna Art Museum in early June. The exhibition is open until October 19. Korkeila deals with themes related to sexual and gender minorities in his art.

Hämeenlinna Pride is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Pride parade will be held on Saturday, August 16. Rainbow flags flew in Hämeenlinna during Helsinki Pride, June 23–29.

Next September, the musical Tom of Finland will premiere in the Vanaja hall of Verkatehtaas.

Tom of Finland

Also remember Pride events:

There are almost 60 Pride events in Finland throughout the year, most of which are held during the summer. You can check the event dates in different locations on the Seta website.

READ ALSO

Safety is Finland’s trump card in rainbow tourism

Compared to many other countries, Finland is a safe country for rainbow people.

– There is usually no need to fear physical violence here, but psychological safety from the perspective of a rainbow traveler may not be at quite the same level, Hannu Medina says.

– In Finland, the feeling of insecurity comes from staring, not so much from pointing or shouting. As a rainbow person, you always have to decide whether you are invisible or visible and whether you can, for example, walk hand in hand with your partner or not.

Big cities in Finland are more rainbow-friendly than small ones. For example, gay bars can only be found in the biggest cities.

Finland has enormous potential to be profiled as a rainbow-friendly tourism country, but according to Medina, this potential has not yet been exploited. This means lost revenue for both cities and tourism companies.

Tourism operators still have homophobic and transphobic attitudes. There are many parties who do not want or dare to be openly attractive to rainbow tourists.

– Ninety-nine percent of companies do not invest in rainbow tourism. Finland is still a developing country in rainbow tourism.

Medina reminds us that developing rainbow tourism is a matter of social responsibility.

Among European countries, Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain are particularly popular with rainbow tourists. Spain in particular knows how to welcome gender and sexual minorities.

– For example, in the center of Valencia, benches and metro entrances are painted in rainbow colors, and rainbow flags can be seen on private balconies in every block.

– There you get the feeling that I can walk hand in hand with my spouse, and no one could be less interested.