Even though the Nordic countries are at the forefront of LGBTI rights in Europe and globally, LGBTI Roma are subject to a complex web of intersectional discrimination and marginalization. Little or no research has been carried out on this group in the Nordics, neither are we aware of any specific programmes or activities to support them. This project was a first step towards putting Roma LGBTI communities on the agenda in the Nordics. The project aimed to provide information about Romani LGBTI minorities in the Nordics and the intersectional discrimination they face, including antigypsyist homophobia. The outcome of the project was a publication with a series of public book launches/seminars in three Nordic capitals (Helsinki, Stockholm and Oslo). The publication wanted to bring the voices of Roma LGBTI persons and Roma activists promoting LGBTI rights to the forefront.

The project wanted to provide an overview of good practices from other European countries where Roma LGBTI rights movements have grown and visibilized the challenges that these communities face. The aim of the publication was to equip organisations, institutions and stakeholders with relevant knowledge and tools that will raise public awareness about specific forms of discrimination that Roma LGBTI people face in order to create an accepting environment that values diversity within LGBTI and Roma communities; to combat antigypsyist homophobia; and to support Roma LGBTI persons in pursuing their struggle for equality in Nordic societies. The book launches will bring together relevant stakeholders to ensure that the knowledge is communicated to places where it is needed.

Read more about the book “Queera romer och resande” here (in Swedish)

This project was built on a collaboration between five organizations within the Nordic region that have been involved in the growing QTIBIPoC movement. The project’s purpose was to collaboratively create a practical handbook in partnership with QTIBIPOCs – a resource designed by and for the community. This handbook will partly serve as a transformative intervention for Nordic organizations, welfare systems, schools, and other institutions that engage with QTIBIPOCs. We also wanted the handbook to serve as a resource for QTIBIPOC organizing and create opportunities for cross-border coalitions.

The handbook introduces readers to an intersectional understanding of systems of oppression and power, and develop a contextual and historical analysis of the Nordic region. Most importantly, the handbook will draw its strength from real-life experiences, activist strategies, organizational skills, and movement expertise from across the region.

Read more and download the “Rivers in Resistance” handbook here.

QTIBIPoC stands for Queer, Trans*, Inter* and Black, Indigenous, People of Colour.