Espoo for all: Espoo to amongst European Human Rights Cities?

Espoo is committed to acting openly and fairly and treating people with equality, humanity and tolerance. Today, the 17th of May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBT), which aims to raise awareness of violence, hatred and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people to drive positive change. IDAHOBIT reminds us that there is still a long way to go until all LGBTQ+ people are free and safe from harm.

In the European comparison, Finland ranks 11th, (external link, opens in a new window)with 60% of the measures required by ILGA-Europe to guarantee the human rights of LGBTI people(external link, opens in a new window). The ranking had decreased from last year, as we were still in sixth place with 65 per cent.

As a pioneering city, Espoo could set an example and encourage Finnish municipalities to consider, protect and promote the rights of LGBTQI+ in decision-making and municipal services. For example, during the update of the city strategy, The Espoo Story, several minority dialogues were held. Representatives of minorities were invited to discuss what Espoo looks like and what the Espoo Story should include from the perspective of minorities. The importance of institutions and structures were highlighted in the discussions, as the city's activities must be based on established practices that ensure the encounter and recognition of diversity in all operations and planning:

• The employer has a vital role in educating and raising the awareness of its staff for building a safer city. People should feel safe in their own skin and as valued residents. Structures and principles should be mutually agreed upon and communicated consistently.
• It is the employer's responsibility to train their employees on how to encounter customers and residents from various backgrounds. Customer service should consider the whole person's life, life cycle and minorities throughout the journey.
• A person belonging to a minority should not be in a position to justify their situation to the employee, for example, the diversity of families, the importance of gender-neutral spaces, the concepts used, or the difference in the employee's beliefs.
• The use of experienced experts should be increased, and thus the staff's knowledge and understanding of diversity should be increased.
• Participatory communication, also referred to as inclusive communication, is vital. Inclusiveness means that forms, instructions and bulletins are designed to take into account diversity in principle.
• Words matter. The words tell about the city's world of values ​through the city. The words tell us about the state of mind and that more and more people should feel they belong.

Today we raise Pride flags in Espoo, but the goal is to do more. Almost one-fifth of the council members have committed to Seta's Rainbow City commitment(external link, opens in a new window) , and we hope that the remaining council members will join them.

We are committed as the Rainbow City Council

1. to actively promote the rights and well-being of gender and sexual minorities and equality for all in the municipality,
2. work against discrimination and hate speech against LGBTQI+ people; and
3. Ensure that gender and sexual minorities have a voice in decision-making.

In addition, the Seta Youth Committee provided the council members with a checklist how to take LGBTQI+ youth into account:

• Municipalities should open a debate on the disadvantages of LGBTQI+ issues and constantly raise them to the table much more openly, both at the level of decision-makers and the municipality as a whole.
• Hate speech is not accepted by itself or others; this is clearly addressed!
• LGBTQI+ youth must be considered and involved, for example, in drawing up equality and equality plans for schools. Plans should also be updated often enough.
• There must be sufficient LGBTQI+ awareness in health care, kindergartens, school health care, and other municipal services to take rainbow children and young people into account in the activities.
• Youth facilities, hobbies and other leisure facilities should be made safe for LGBTQI+ youth.
• Theme days on functional sexuality, substance abuse, values ​​and attitudes should be held several times during the child's schooling.
• The municipality must organise a pride flag during the Pride week or month.
• Activities organised by the local Seta and other potential LGBTQI+ actors should be brought to the attention of rainbow youth.

Commitment Signatories

• Ahlfors Tiina, Left Alliance
• Arstila Leila, Green League
• Hietanen-Tanskanen Ira, National Coalition Party
• Hyrkkö Saara, Green League
• Karimäki Johanna, Green League
• Katainen Mervi, National Coalition Party
• Lindholm Julia, National Coalition Party
• Marttila Helena, Finnish Social Democratic Party
• Puntila Päivi, Swedish People's Party
• Seppälä Peppi, Green League
• Uotila Kari, Left Alliance
• Vanhanen Joel, National Coalition Party
• Vuornos Henrik, National Coalition Party

SETA updated the list on the 11th of June 2021 at 3.15 pm(external link, opens in a new window).

We encourage all council members to read and commit to Seta's Rainbow City Commitment. You can inform your commitment to the Equality Committee: Kaarina Salonen, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, kaarina.salonen(at)espoo.fi.

Tereza Dickson

member of the Equality Committee