Gay Guide Finland

The age of consent is now 16 for all in Finland. Discrimination against homosexuals is punishable as a criminal offence. The law on registered partnership came into force in 2002 which grants gay and lesbian couples almost all rights and obligations of married heterosexuals - with the exception of adoption rights. After a vote on gay marriage was not admitted to parliament in February 2013, activists forced a petition for a law on gay marriage to be discussed and voted on in parliament. The petition received twice as many signatures required on its first day and also set a new record by receiving the most signatures a petition ever had. After a long tug-of-war within Parliament, marriage is no open for all and homosexual people can get married and adopt children, effective March 2017. The attitude of the Fins towards lesbians and gays is tolerant - at least in the big cities and among young people. Every major city has a more or less active gay group that almost always belongs to the state-supported nationwide organisation SETA. Travelling in Finland is quite expensive but comfortable due to the good train connections or air transport.