Finland

The age of consent is 16 for homosexuals and heterosexuals in Finland. Discrimination against homosexuals is a criminal offence. The law of registered partnership came into force in 2002, according to which male/male and female/female registered couples have almost all the rights and obligations that married heterosexual couples have except the right to adoption. In Finland a lively debate regarding same-sexual marriage is taking place and the Ministry of Justice is currently investigating how a new marriage law could be implemented. This law would offer the same rights to all married couples regardless of the gender and same-sexual couples would be entitled to, among other things, the right to adoption of a person not belonging to the family. The election in April 2011 put the "True Finns", a right-wing populist party, in power as a coalition partner with 19%, thanks to their massively Eurosceptic campaign. As some politicians of this party have drawn attention to themselves with very homophobic statements, same-sex marriage is not to be expected in the near future. Nevertheless, no influence on the ecclesiastical wedding for same-sexual couples would apply as the church decides itself who it may marry. General attitude towards gays and lesbians is tolerant, at least in big cities and among younger people. Every major city has a more or less active gay organization, which almost all are part of the state-supported national organization SETA. Travelling in Finland is quite expensive but easy with good train and flight connections.