Seta ry – English

Seta ry – English

English

Support us!

News

LGBTIQ homelessness is a hidden phenomenon

This weekend on 17th of October we are focusing on homelessness. Seta´s Commitee of International Affairs interviewed two experts on LGBTIQ homelessness. 

Robbie Stakelum is a policy officer with FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless and is responsible for the LGBTIQ perspective. Sari Rantaniemi works with LGBTIQ homelessness at Diakonissalaitos. 

Robbie’s interview on video is in English and it is also in written form below. Sari´s interview is translated also below. Both interviews in Finnish here.

Robbie Stakelum, policy officer with FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless

I am a Robbie Stakelum, policy officer with FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless and I lead on our work on LGBTIQ homelessness.

Why should service providers and policymakers in Europe  pay more attention to LGBTQ youth homelessness and what are the reasons for LGBTQ youth homelessness?

I think it’s really important that homeless service providers and policy makers start focusing more on LGBTQ issues within our broader work on the topic of homelessness. We know from data, that we’ve had for many years from North America, that between 20 to 40% of young people experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTIQ. In the last year, we have gotten data from the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) which gives us a very similar insight into to the extent of LGBTIQ homelessness in Europe. For example, the FRA estimates that about 1 in 5 LGBTIQ people have had and experienced homelessness, they estimate that 1 in 3 trans people have had experiences of homelessness and this rises to about 40% of intersex people. And I think, the challenge that we face in our work as a homeless sector, is that often we hear and we see these figures and they feel very out of sync with our reality. Because LGBTIQ homelessness is also a hidden form of homelessness. We know for example when LGBTIQ people come into services, they often don’t feel safe. They have experiences of homophobia and transphobia. We know there is an intersection between their sexual orientation and gender identity and other experiences of racism, misogyny, sexism etc. 

If you ask a homelessness providers, ‘how many people do you work with who identify as LGBTIQ’, they would say ‘very little’. And yet we have independent research that across North America and Europe shows us that LGBTIQ people are way overrepresented within our services. The causes for that are many, and the triggers of homelessness can be very very different for many different people. We know that there are causes around coming out and families evicting young people. For example, when they come out as gay/lesbian or when they are starting transition that can also be a trigger for young people to be formally evicted from their families into homelessness. 

We also know that LGBTIQ young people experience discrimination in the rental market, so even when they go to the rental market in certain countries, they can’t get a rental lease, if they’re seen as particularly queer – for lack of a better phrase – or landlords don’t want to rent to them or people who are living in apartments don’t want to bring in another housemate who might seem different to them. So, we see further experiences of homophobia and transphobia. 

What solutions do you propose, based on your work, to tackle the issue of LGBTQ youth homelessness in Europe?

In terms of what can actually be done, we know there is lots of experiences from France, England, the United States and Canada around creating services that are more inclusive. And so, on the surface of that, that can mean having a statement of inclusivity on display, it can mean having a rainbow flag, it might mean having queer art, it’s about creating a space when an LGBTIQ young person walks into it, they feel like this is an environment that’s for me. 

but it’s more than that. You can’t just smack a rainbow flag up on a wall, and say that’s it, we’re done, we’re inclusive. You need to do trainings, you have to do trainings –  and not just with social workers and the people who work with young people, we need to do it with social workers, all the staff of the centres: board of directors, senior management so that everybody fundamentally understands LGBTIQ identity because the specific needs that come from that community have to be met and understood by everybody for the service to really be inclusive and to empower those people to speak about their sexual orientation and gender identity.

I think, when we look at what can we all be doing around LGBTIQ homelessness: Better data collection, better training for homeless services, monitoring what is available in terms of service provision: do we have enough housing, what is the type of housing we have created, is it segregated, is it trans inclusive, have we created health services that trans people can access? Do we have partnerships with the right mental health professionals that can provide the needed support in an inclusive way? 

Sari Rantaniemi, Diakonissalaitos

Hey! My name is Sari Rantaniemi and I work at Deaconess Foundation. I am developing homeless work there. I use they/ them pronouns.

According to ARA statistics, there were more than 4,300 homeless people in Finland in 2020, and 850 of them were young people under the age of 25.

According to a study by the Fundamental Rights Agency , there is also homelessness among LGBTIQ people in Finland, i.e. every 5th LGBTIQ person has experienced homelessness or the threat of homelessness in their lives. For transgender people, this is about 30%.

The government wants to eliminate homelessness in Finland by 2027, meaning that everyone has their own home by then. This means also that homelessness among LGBTIQ people must be identified and everything related to it must be looked at, as well as how LGBTIQ people can be supported.

The situation of young people in particular is vulnerable, as they become independent and move away from home in a situation where they may still need social or even financial support, e.g. from their parents.

Also, not everyone may have adequate housing skills or an understanding of what it means to run their own household and finances. If there is no such support from home, young people are pretty alone.

The biggest reason for LGBTIQ youth homelessness and threat of homelessness is broken family relationships. It is really difficult for some parents to accept the identity of their children, and this can lead to the young person experiencing both mental and physical violence at home.

In addition, at school or hobbies or at the place of residence, LGBTIQ youth may face bullying and discrimination, all of which then affect the fact that LGBTIQ youth move away from home earlier than other youth.

In order for us to achieve the goal of everyone having their own home here in Finland in a few years’ time, I think we should also recognize the issue of LGBTIQ homelessness and what it means here in Finland – and more information and research is needed on this issue.

Rainbow people under-utilize social and health services and that is why I would also like our SOTE staff to be trained on LGBTIQ issues as well, such as what minority stress means and how it affects everyday functioning.

Youths would benefit from low-threshold services, which it would be easy and safe for a LGBTIQ youth to come to, as well as hands-on support that accompanies them, to have someone accompany them to services, if they have a hard time going there alone.

Then, I also think that we need a change in the attitudes of all of us: these young people often experience multiple grounds of discrimination, and the stigma of homelessness should be reduced. Homelessness is not anyone’s personal choice, neither does it define a person, but it is only a situation in life, and this is also the case for LGBTIQ persons.

 

Discrimination-free and inclusive psychotherapy has to be guaranteed for non-Finnish-speaking LGBTQIA+ persons in Finland

Joint statement 13th August 2021

Suomeksi
På svenska

The hardships in accessing mental health services have been recognized and currently discussed widely in Finland. The citizen initiative Immediate access to therapy (Terapiatakuu) has demanded easier and faster access to mental health services, proceeding with over 52 000 signatures to the parliament. Minorities’ hindered access to psychosocial treatment however has not been raised in the public discussion.

Especially non-Finnish-speaking LGBTIQ+ people are in a vulnerable situation, yet they face a multitude of problems in accessing mental health services. These problems reflect an urgent need for an intersectional approach in health care services. In practice, intersectionality refers to awareness of the impacts of various social categories such as race, gender, sexuality and class on experiences of discrimination.

We demand that minorities’ needs for mental health services have to be taken seriously. We call for an action plan: concrete targets to improve the situation have to be incorporated in the planning and provision of mental health services as part of the National Health and social services reform (sote-uudistus).

1 Guaranteed access to mental health services for most vulnerable LGBTIQA+ people

Mental health problems continue to be a higher burden among migrated and LGBTIQ+ persons. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic further increases the problems. Ignorance of language and cultural differences in Finland results in a worsening situation for migrated LGBTIQ+ people.

2 Guaranteed fast access to continued gender transition therapy for migrated trans persons

Moreover, migrated trans persons need to start their gender transition therapy from the beginning in Finland while the waiting time to trans polyclinic in Finland is chronically long. They have to wait for more than a one-year to access the therapy, causing tremendous psychological hardships for trans persons.

3 Obligatory education on inclusivity and sensibility in therapist certificates

Currently, psychotherapy and counselling education takes heterosexual relationships and clients with similar backgrounds and normative gender identities for granted. Education including training on sexual diversity as well as language and cultural differences have to be incorporated into the curriculum. Individuals with varying language proficiencies and different cultural backgrounds must be encouraged to become employed as therapists. The psychotherapy training programmes must also be financially accessible, preferably free of charge, and part of university curricula.

4 Intersectional approach as a basis for mental health services

An intersectional approach needs to be set at the core in planning and providing mental health services in Finland. Dialogue between health care experts, decision-makers, and NGOs have to be maintained, strengthened and encouraged at every level.

Government Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda(sub-target 3.4) states that “ Finland has succeeded in reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment while also promoting mental health and well-being. The situation is monitored continuously and measures will be continued and their efficiency increased”.

The Finnish National Mental Health Strategy and Programme for Suicide Prevention 2020–2030 – states that ”specific attention is given to minorities including different language and cultural groups”. It also underlines the development of “culturally sensitive suicide prevention programmes and emergency support which take into account different cultural and language groups, including indigenous people, LGBT and other minority groups, victims of violence and others in critical situations”. The intersectional approach must be transferred from policy papers into concrete measures with sufficient funding.

The ongoing preparation of the National Social and Health Care Reform (Sote) is a vital moment to tackle these issues and to set concrete targets with adhering implementation plans.

Eva Biaudet Member of Parliament
Aleksi Jalava Psychotherapist Psychologist and psychotherapist specialized in gender, sexual and relationship diversity
Kristian Wahlbeck MIELI Mental Health Finland
Hassen Hnini The Settlement Movement (Setlementtiliitto)
Mercedesz Czimbalmos Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Juho Aalto & Pauliina Lukinmaa on behalf of Committee of International Affairs, Seta (LGBTI Rights in Finland)

The statement is based on a panel discussion: How are we doing? Mental health care needs, disparities, and well-being of non-Finnish speaking LGBTIQA+ people in Finland, organized by Sexual Rights Finland Seta’s (LGBTI Rights in Finland) International Affairs Committee, held on 1st of July as part of the Helsinki Pride 2021.

MEP Silvia Modig: commission could sanction human rights violations

Silvia MODIG in the EP in Brussels. Picture: European parliament

Today on Europe day Seta´s International Affairs Committee interviews member of parliament Silvia Modigia (GUE/NGL). Written interview is below the video.

VIDEO

Hi! My name is Silvia Modig. I’m a first term member of the European Parliament. I’m representing Finland and my party the Left Alliance. Before the work in the European Parliament, I used to work in the Finnish Parliament where I was a member of the parliament for eight years.

What does it mean that the EU is declared an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone? What is this about?

Well, the declaration is an important statement on EU values and for equality and it’s an answer to the LGBTIQ Free Zones that Poland has established and to the deterioration of the minorities’ rights in several member states. Homophobic speech has become even the lead message of presidential campaigns and the hatred is growing. So, it’s a really important declaration but it is a declaration only when we need concrete political action and decisions. And that’s where a lot of work still needs to be done.

Was the resolution difficult to make in the parliament and why? What was the opposition of the declaration like?

The resolution was not hard to get because, first of all, the majority of the parliament sees the importance of defending human rights and there we have the majority of that. Then also it is against our common treaties to discriminate one part of the population because all the money the EU is spending must be on the benefit of all Europeans also the LGBTIQ people. So that’s why it was not hard to get the parliament on board but the concrete political legislative decisions is going to be more challenging. The opposition looks the same as it looks and sounds in those countries opposing rainbow rights. And in those countries and those parties they’re in power who stand for discrimination. The opposition looks very same in the parliament and it is something that is a much broader issue than just the LGBTIQ rights. It’s very important to see the bigger picture. If one person’s human rights are violated then human rights are violated as a whole, as an entity and therefore also your human rights are being violated even if you don’t belong to that certain group where the discriminatory action is at that moment. Human rights must be seen as a whole entity that belongs to all of us, and you cannot choose selectively which parts of the human rights you will believe in or work for. It is a whole entity. So, it’s a much bigger picture than only the rainbow rights.

What concrete actions are taken to secure LGBTIQ human rights in EU?

This is a really good question. What are the concrete actions? We have the “rule of law” mechanism. That has been put in place and that has been agreed to by all the three institutions. That means that the commission has the possibility and the power to act with economical sanctions if there are breaches of the principle of the rule of law in member states. This is one thing through which concrete action may be done. But then we have the LGBTIQ strategy which is the 1st in history for the EU. And within that strategy there are several demands of action. And following those proposals in the strategy we will come a long way.  One very important thing I would raise from them is the recognition of families in cross-border situations. The LGBTIQ families must be protected and respected and their rights cannot be abolished when they cross a border. Things like these are in the strategy as demands for action from the commission. So, a lot of emphasis on that and that will bring us a long way if we get those to be realized.

What can a citizen of EU do to promote LGBTIQ rights in the EU and Europe?

That is a very good question. The best way for anyone to affect the society around you is to be the change yourself you want to see in others and you want to see in society. Also, to be an active citizen. To participate in all the ways that are possible to participate in. Joining campaigns, signing petitions, making citizens initiatives. Being a part of the public discussion, which then will set the political agenda as well. And of course, putting pressure on your own national parliaments. Is the legislation in order in your country? Is there an equal marriage law? Are the rights of transgender people based on their self-determination? Is that ok? Is adoption equal for all couples and all people. Things like this. It starts from those legislations that first give everybody their rights. So, there’s a lot an EU citizen can do. Then of course when you give your vote. First of all, always vote! And then choose to vote for a person or for a party who promises to work for these matters and for equality.

Apply to be A Board Member at Seta!

The annual meeting of Seta’s representative body takes place remotely this year. Meeting dates are 14 and 15 November, 2020. The meeting also eletcts new members to Setas board, and among other things, agrees on the organisation’s new strategy and next year’s operations.

If you want to stand as a board member candidate, we ask you to fill in  this form by 6 November 2020.

Board members elected for the next two years (2021–2022) include:

Seta’s President
One Vice President
2 Board Members
1 Vice Member of the Board

 

More information
Teemu Halme
Finance & Administrative Manager
tel. +358 50 400 7789
teemu.halme[at]seta.fi

Fill in survey on hate crimes and hateful behaviour in Finland until May 10 2020

You can fill in Seta’s annual survey on hate crimes and other acts motivated by anti-LGBTIQ+ sentiment until May 10 2020. Seta will deliver the information provided to The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).  You can leave your response anonymously. Seta will not forward any other information to the OSCE than what is to be found in the survey’s responses. Seta may, however, use the information provided in our own advocacy work.

Responses from members of the public offer valuable insight into what sort of expressions of hate LGBTIQ+ people face in Finland and how anti-LGBTIQ+ sentiment is dealt with by the authorities. When reporting an incident in this survey, you do not personally need to know if the incident was in breach of The Criminal Code of Finland.

You can fill in the survey in English, Finnish or Swedish.