Conditions for LGBTI people in the Nordic countries have changed over recent decades, characterised by increased access to social and legal rights, greater protection against discrimination, increased visibility and more opportunities to engage with a community. Despite this, studies show that a gender identity or sexual orientation that does not conform to societal norms is associated with an increased risk of victimisation, discrimination and physical violence, which can lead to negative health outcomes, among other things.
Living conditions for LGBTI people are influenced not only by societal norms surrounding sexual orientation or gender identity but also by other social norms such as those pertaining to gender, ethnicity, skin colour, religious affiliation and socio-economic status. Little is known about the role of these factors, and marginalised subgroups among sexual minorities are often overlooked. A number of projects funded by the Nordic Gender Equality Fund and the Nordic LGBTI Fund aim to change this, focusing on issues that specifically affect LGBTI people who belong to multiple minority groups.
This publication provides an insight into these Nordic co-operation projects: the problems and challenges the projects have identified, how they have been addressed and the concrete results that have been achieved. In interviews, project participants reflect on the benefits of Nordic co-operation and what is needed to improve conditions for LGBTI people who belong to multiple minority groups.
This publication aims to shed light on the living conditions of LGBTI people belonging to multiple minority groups and to disseminate knowledge and experiences from the projects to increase sustainability, benefit more people and inspire others to participate in Nordic co-operation. The publication has been produced by Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK), which is a co-operation body under the Nordic Council of Ministers. NIKK is responsible for administering the Nordic Gender Equality Fund and the Nordic LGBTI Fund.