Gender and sexual minorities still face more discrimination and violence than others — and everyone has the right to be proud of their existence. Pride. Just reading that one word provokes a reaction in most people who see it. Some find it irritating. In some it awakens great anger. In others it may awaken frustration or indifference. Yet it is, as its name says, about pride. It is about every one of us having the right to be proud of existing. It is about every one of us having the right to exist, and to be proud of who they are.
What does Pride actually mean?
Even today, people belonging to sexual and gender minorities experience more discrimination, violence and stress than others. And it begins in youth. From the school health surveys we know that sexual and gender minority students already experience more loneliness, depression and discrimination than their peers. About twice as many rainbow young people also feel they do not have a good line of communication with their parents. Fortunately, however, school adults make up for this somewhat, and nearly as many rainbow young people as other young people feel they can talk about things on their mind with a trusted adult at school.
Equality has not yet been fully achieved anywhere. Not even in Finland.
Why does promoting equality benefit everyone?
Promoting equality and equal treatment increases people’s wellbeing. In addition to that, diverse teams and companies outperform their competitors. They are more profitable, they attract more employees and they develop more new approaches and solutions. Nor are other communities, such as municipalities or villages, any different in this respect.
Pride is about sexual and gender minorities showing they exist. That sexual and gender minorities still do not have fully the same rights as others. That equality has not yet been achieved. And which of us would not want the same opportunities as others? Which of us would not want to be proud of existing?
I have written more about equality: about my council initiative for Pride flag flying in Kirkkonummi and about how the vote finally went . Read more in my posts on equality .
Published in Kirkkonummen Sanomat on 25 June 2025.
Other posts
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Kirkkonummi tells everyone: you belong here
Bullying of rainbow youth is increasing. Kirkkonummi voted 30–14 for flag-flying — a small gesture with measurable effects on young people's wellbeing.
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Kirkkonummi is a more equal place today
The municipal council of Kirkkonummi on 9.3. accepted my initiative for hoisting the Pride flag in Kirkkonummi, twice a year!
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Essays on immigration: the persistent myths
Myths about immigration distort public debate. Ten common misconceptions are examined against what the facts actually show about immigration to Finland.
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Council initiative: annual Pride flag flying
Kirkkonummi's strategy promotes equality and equal treatment. Flying the Pride flag is an inexpensive and easy action to implement it.
