A growing number of Finnish cities are dressing in rainbow colours in celebration of sexual and gender diversity this summer.
Typically popular in larger university cities, Pride is now making its way into smaller regions. One of them is the Southern Ostrobothnian city of Seinäjoki.
Seinäjoki has an on and off history organising Pride but this year, Reetta Lintinen and Hanna Hietikko are determined to consolidate the sporadic events into an annual tradition.
"It was already last summer that discussions began over why Pride is not celebrated regularly in Seinäjoki. This summer, the idea occurred to Reetta after seeing on Facebook that even a place the size of Ruovesi could organise a Pride parade. It triggered some Pride-envy," Hietikko laughs.
Keeping it colourful, yet simple
The duo decided to take matters into their own hands and organise the event on a limited schedule. Preceding the party is a picnic and a panel discussion on the Church’s attitude toward sexual minorities, set against the backdrop of Liisa Seppälä's "Ten Commandments to the Church" art exhibition.
"There is so little time that we'll have to use common sense and keep things simple. We don't have time for the impossible, after all. Maybe next year we will get more associations, organisations and companies involved. And even for this year, there's still time to join if people want to show their support," Hietikko says.
Hietikko further added that everyone is welcome to join and people are invited to bring their own rainbow props in addition to the ones provided.
Facing opposition
In previous years, attendees of Seinäjoki Pride have typically included students who have since moved on to other places after completing their studies. This has made it difficult for the event's organisers to build a solid base to work from.
Hietikko also recognises the city's "atmosphere" as being partly behind a lack of appetite for the equality-promoting event. Negative comments and attacks against equality activists and promoters are plentiful on social media.
"I have realised that organising a pride parade in Seinäjoki is still perceived as unsafe and even dangerous. I don't want to think that way, but one of the reasons for the insecurity is that there isn’t a big group of people putting this together," Hietikko says.
Local events significant to minorities
Finland will see more than 20 Pride parades organised this summer, according to Kerttu Tarjamo, Secretary General of equalities organisation Seta. Tarjamo says that the number of events has risen to pre-pandemic figures this year. Joining Seinäjoki and Ruovesi are the latest pride party arrivals Pieksämäki and Järvenpää.
"What is new is that the events are being hosted in smaller places and by individual people. In the past it has typically been larger cities where there's already the presence of a rainbow organization," Tarjamo says.
According to Tarjamo, it is not only important for people to see pride celebrated in their own city but also for local politicians to get involved.
"It is important that municipal decision-makers show their support in the promotion of equality for the rainbow community and also stand up against inappropriate and hostile speech that occurs in their own municipality."