LGBTI people in the Nordic countries who belong to multiple minorities are in a particularly vulnerable position. These groups are subject to multiple forms of discrimination and marginalisation based on, for example, racism, homophobia and ableism. Sometimes the term intersectional discrimination is used to capture how different types of oppression interact and affect the conditions for a particular group or individual.

Studies show that LGBTI people with non-normative abilities or a foreign background are more likely than other LGBTI people to report exposure to bullying, violence, threats and hate crimes. The publication Standing out even in groups to which you belong aims to shed light on the living conditions of LGBTI people belonging to several minorities and to disseminate knowledge and experiences from the projects in order to increase their sustainability, benefit more people and inspire others to Nordic co-operation.

Based on the report Trans People’s Working Life Conditions in the Nordic Region (2024), NIKK is continuing the project with the publication Trans People’s Working Life in Figures. The aim is to highlight the results of the EU LGBTIQ Survey (2024) on the conditions of transgender people in relation to working life in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. These are the three Nordic countries that were included in the survey. Additional insights are also provided by national studies in the field from Iceland and Norway.

Susanna Young Håkansson is an analyst at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research and author of the publication:

Last year, we published a knowledge review on the working life conditions of trans people in the Nordic countries. It describes how the conditions under which many trans people live have serious consequences for their finances, quality of life and health. At the same time, questions about the consequences of poor structural conditions and an insecure working life for life in general are almost completely absent from the material. These perspectives are examples of areas where more Nordic knowledge is needed to improve the living conditions of trans people in the Nordic region. The new publication Trans People’s Working Life in Figures is a step in that direction.

By summarising data on the working life conditions of transgender people in the Nordic countries produced by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the publication can shed light on how working life conditions are linked to other living conditions. It also highlights the implications for health, housing and other conditions for a secure life. It shows that it is important to highlight differences and variations within the transgender group, as well as to show how specific gender identities affect transgender people’s experiences in working life.

The statistics from the third edition of the EU LGBTIQ Survey were published in 2024 and are one of the largest surveys globally on the conditions of LGBTI people. Overall, the results show that LGBTI persons, and in particular trans and intersex persons, continue to face hate-motivated violence, direct and indirect discrimination and other forms of victimisation, despite legal protection. At the same time, the results also show signs of progress on some indicators of transparency and safety. For example, fewer LGBTI people than before report avoiding certain places out of fear or avoiding holding hands with a partner in public.

Susanna Young Håkansson believes that the new publication can support the work for transgender rights in the Nordic countries.

It is hoped that our new publication will help Nordic labour market actors to more clearly identify the structural discrimination that exists and continue their efforts to combat it.

These conditions can have serious consequences for LGBTI people’s finances, quality of life and health. Particularly vulnerable groups include young LGBTI people, transgender people and LGBTI people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

The seminar will build on existing Nordic knowledge, providing a comprehensive picture of the current situation. Programme participants will share insights from research, policy and practice. The aim is to bring together experts and key actors in the field from across the region, provide an opportunity to share knowledge, enable dialogue and enhance Nordic co-operation on LGBTI people’s working life conditions. 

Please mark 23 May in your calendar and register here. A detailed programme will be sent out later.

The seminar is implemented by Nordic Information on Gender, NIKK, in cooperation with The Nordic Council of Ministers and LGBT+ Danmark.

Target group

The seminar’s target group is broad and includes representatives from relevant ministries/departments, employers’ organisations, trade unions, civil society, equality bodies, authorities and other stakeholders working strategically with inclusion and diversity in working life. 

PROGRAMME

Date and time: 23 May, 9-12
Location: Nordens hus, Ved Stranden 18, Copenhagen

8.30 The doors open
Coffee and croissant

9.00 Introduction to the day 
Moderator Andreas Nielsen, Senior Advisor, Nordic Council of Ministers

9.10 Presentation: LGBTI people’s working life conditions in the Nordic region English
Susanna Young Håkansson, Analyst, Nordic Information on Gender

9.45 Questions 

10.00 Break 

10.20 Nordic Perspectives: What can different sectors do? English
Martin Reichhardt, Associate Director of Strategy at ALK (former DEI leader at Boston Consulting Group)(DK), Daniel Hjalmarsson, Strategist, the Union for Professionals, Akademikerförbundet SSR, (SE) Nora Marie Haune Bornø, Senior Advisor, the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud (NO)

11.10 Break

11.20 Strategy and Action: Ways to Move Forward
Susanne Branner Jespersen, Head of Secretariat, LGBT+ Denmark, Mads Samsing, Vice chairman, HK Denmark, Tina Christensen, Vice chairman, 3F, Denmark

Language: Danish, but with parts in English. 

The conference was based on the knowledge review ‘Trans people’s working life conditions in the Nordic region’, published by NIKK in spring 2024. The knowledge review compiles results from Nordic studies, and the overall picture shows that trans people* face particular obstacles in their working lives. Discrimination  and poor treatment affect recruitment processes as well as the work environment and opportunities for career development, which has a concrete impact, not least on trans people’s finances. 

During the conference, knowledge and experiences were shared from research, politics, authorities, labour market actors and civil society organisations. The responsibility of employers and trade unions was particularly emphasised. Discrimination against transgender people is prohibited in all Nordic countries, but it still continues. This is shown, for example, in the study ‘Hiring Discrimination Against Transgender People: Evidence from a Field Experiment’, presented during the conference in Stockholm. 

“Discrimination is not just a perception but a measurable, real problem that affects trans people” said Ali Ahmed, researcher at Linköping University, and initiator of the study.

Several of the conference speakers emphasised the need for action in the Nordic countries to ensure compliance with discrimination laws. For example, the need for training for recruiters on how to avoid discrimination was highlighted. While trans people are excluded from the labour market, there are also problems in the workplace. During the conference, several recent reports and guides were presented that offer guidance for employers. 

Experts also emphasised the need to tackle disinformation about transgender people, negative stereotypes that also find their way into the workplace.

Working life does not happen in a vacuum, but is of course influenced by what happens in the surrounding society”, said conference moderators El Häkkinen and Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir.

In the publication ‘A better working life for transgender people’ you can find out more about the conference, which was organised by NIKK.

* Being transgender means that your gender identity does not correspond to the sex you were assigned at birth.

A better working life for trans people

Read the publication online

Download and print the publication (PDF)

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The Nordic Network for LGBTI research on Health and Living Conditions

LGBTI research in the Nordic countries is strong and multi-faceted but has to a large degree been conducted within different research disciplines. The aim of the project is to consolidate the Nordic LGBTI research on health and living conditions in a wider sense across the Nordic region, to share research results, and facilitate conferences, workshops and network meetings to further support this field of study across disciplines. 

The Nordic Network for LGBTI research on Health and Living Conditions

Safer Queer Cities – Capacity building, sensitivity training and digital self-defense tool 

LGBT+ individuals in the Nordic region face significiant online harassment, hate and violence, often targeted with derogatory comments, threats and cyberbullying, leading to severe psychological distress. Anti-gay ideologies exacerbate these issues by promoting harmful stereotypes and misinformation, undermining the LGBT+ movement. The programme aim to enhance the safety and resilience of LGBT+ individuals by equipping municipalities and organisations in Reykjavik with up-to-date knowledge and tools to combat online and offline threats and harassment. 

Safer Queer Cities

A Nordic digital curriculum for LGBTQIA+ competencies in higher education programs for human service professions

The project focuses on higher education for human services professionals by developing a multilingual Nordic digital curriculum to enhance LGBTQIA+ competencies within social work and healthcare. Research has highlighted the limited and inadequate coverage of these topics in existing social and healthcare education programs.

A Nordic digital curriculum for LGBTQIA+ competencies in higher education programs for human service professions

The work to improve the living conditions of LGBTI people is an important part of Nordic co-operation and of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ vision of becoming the world’s most sustainable and integrated region. Since 2020, the Nordic Council of Ministers has been co-operating to promote equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic region. One part of this work is the Nordic LGBTI Fund, which is administrated by NIKK on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. This autumn, the Fund opens up for applications for the fourth year in a row. 

Who can apply for funding? 

Dialogue and co-operation are one of the cornerstones of Nordic collaboration. The Nordic LGBTI Fund provides the opportunity for this. The Fund finances projects where at least three different organisations, from at least three different Nordic countries, collaborate. The call is open to various activities and organisations, such as voluntary organisations, universities, authorities and companies. 

Projects that contribute to Nordic interests and work for equal rights and opportunities for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries can apply for financing from the Fund. A total of approx. 1,2 million DKK will be distributed. 

The activities should start in the beginning of 2025 and are to be carried out within two years. The funding can be used to develop common methods and new knowledge, and to hold conferences and build networks, etc. 

The knowledge review shows that many of the obstacles that trans people face in and around working life are based on restrictive norms, which are reflected in recruitment processes, work environments and opportunities for career development. Violating these rigid notions of gender often entails some form of punishment from the surrounding society, whether it is being eliminated from a recruitment process, being discriminated against or mistreated by colleagues and customers or being treated unprofessionally by a manager. Susanna Young Håkansson is an analyst at the Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, where NIKK is located, and has written the knowledge review.

Various types of exclusionary processes, such as discrimination and transphobic environments, are common obstacles to a secure and fulfilling working life. This applies both to the search for a job and to the working environment in a workplace. These barriers can have serious consequences for trans people’s finances, quality of life and health. 

Susanna Young Håkansson, analyst

The findings from several of the reports show that the nature of an individual’s gender identity affects their experiences in the labour market. For example, trans women face more harassment and discrimination than trans men, both in the workplace and in recruitment processes. Age is another important factor – young trans people are often particularly vulnerable, and there is evidence that many trans people have a difficult start in the labour market. 

With the exception of one report, economic vulnerability is not explicitly addressed in the included material. However, based on what we learn about the overrepresentation of trans people in terms of unemployment, exposure to discrimination, including in recruitment, illnesses that affect an individual’s ability to work and poor employment conditions, such as insecure employment and low wages, the results of this knowledge review indicate that people in the trans group are more likely than those in the majority population to have difficulty earning a living and be at risk of or living in poverty and economic vulnerability. This is an example of areas where more Nordic knowledge is needed. 

Susanna Young Håkansson

European data shows that many trans people in the Nordic countries have difficulty coping financially and a significant proportion have experienced severe economic vulnerability. In the Nordic material, however, questions about working life conditions and finances are not linked to consequences in areas such as health, housing and other conditions for living a safe and decent life.  These are areas where more Nordic knowledge is needed.

The knowledge review was developed from literature on the working life conditions for trans people produced in the Nordic countries, as well as dialogues conducted with civil society organisations and labour market actors. Interviews have been conducted with representatives of civil society organisations in Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland to get a picture of the situations there. 

The publication summarises and provides an introduction to the state of knowledge in the field and how researchers and other experts describe problems and gaps in knowledge and identify actions required for change. It summarises the key messages from a high-level expert meeting held in connection with the launch of the Nordic report: “He went back into the closet”: Older LGBTI people’s interactions with health and social care in the Nordic countries.

The report’s title: “He went back into the closet” reflects the experiences of some older LGBTI people when they move into care homes where their needs are not properly met.

Key messages in selection

• Trans care is negatively affected by the fact that trans people are still pathologised in all the Nordic countries.
• There is a lack of research on health professionals in relation to LGBTI issues. More research is needed.
• There is a need for more knowledge on the specific health problems and diseases of older LGBTI people
• Better working conditions for health professionals lead to better care for LGBTI people.
• Provide funding for research and educational materials on older LGBTI people.

The following projects have been granted funding from the Nordic LGBTI Fund:

LGBTQI senior issues in the Nordic countries
The project is planning a conference for experts, professionals and representatives from the target group to create a Nordic network to share knowledge, experiences, collaborate and raise the LGBTI perspective in Nordic political processes. Read more about the project here.

Developing training program to support LGBTI+ wellness in school
School environments are undergoing a decline in which hate and violence against LGBTI+ students is increasing. Through this project, teachers and school staff in the Nordic region will have access to training and forums to share experiences and knowledge on how to increase the safety of LGBTI+ students. Read more about the project here.

Trans, labour market, wallet
The project aims to visualise the consequences of discrimination against trans people. A study will be carried out to produce equality data for trans people, with a focus on the labour market and personal finances. The results of the study will be presented in a report and disseminated at a final conference in 2024. Read more about the project here.

The Nordic LGBTI Fund is administered by NIKK on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Information on the 2024 call will be available later this year.

When Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir launched Iceland’s presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers at the beginning of the year, she emphasised that gender equality and LGBTI work is one of the cornerstones of Nordic co-operation. In particular, she saw it as important to use the common Nordic voice to highlight the vulnerability of LGBTI people and the increasing incidence of threats and hatred in the Nordic Region and other parts of the world. To bring about change, the Icelandic presidency has initiated a campaign aimed at young Nordic citizens to prevent and combat hate speech, micro agression and harassment. The campaign is part of the roadmap established by the Nordic ministers for gender equality in 2022 (Pushing back the push-back: Nordic Roadmap on advancing gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, and equal rights of LGBTI-persons).

It is extremely important to continue the fight against the backlash against gender equality and LGBTI rights. We have long and fruitful experience with Nordic cooperation in the field of equality, and cooperation between the Nordic countries on the LGBTI rights has also been successful in recent years. It is our duty to do our part as the rights of women and LGBTI people are under attack.

Katrín Jakobsdóttir:

One of the projects that follows in the wake of the Nordic ministers for gender equality’s plan to counteract the decline in the living conditions of LGBTI people is Trans people’s working conditions in the Nordic region. By combining national studies in the area, it is hoped to provide a clearer picture of the working conditions of trans people in the Nordic region. During the year, NIKK has arranged talks with LGBTI organisations in the Nordic region, with the Nordic anti-discrimination ombudsmen and has several events planned for 2024. It is hoped that documentation from these meetings will contribute further knowledge and fill knowledge gaps in the research overview on the working conditions of trans people that will be published next year.

Trans people have been attacked and marginalized in many ways, and there are many indications that their situation is worse than that of other groups within the LGBTI community. It is important to increase our knowledge of transgender issues so that appropriate action can be taken and prejudices can be countered through education in all areas of society.

Katrín Jakobsdóttir:

Studies show that LGBTI people experience particular challenges in life, but knowledge of the challenges faced by older LGBTI people is limited. During the Icelandic presidency, a Nordic initiative to compile knowledge about the living conditions of older LGBTI people and their encounters with health and social care has continued. The project has resulted in a Nordic report that was published in December and a high-level meeting on the subject organised in Reykjavik in late autumn. The meeting brought together researchers, civil society organisations, authorities and experts from across the Nordic Region to exchange knowledge and formulate opportunities and challenges. During 2024 results of the project will be disseminated through events and dialogues.