NEWS
Even though there is occasionally lively debate concerning discrimination, equality, racism, etc., there is no doubt that the Sweden of 2013 is more tolerant than it was 20, 50 or 100 years ago.
MUCH HAS CERTAINLY happened: In Sweden, as from 1810, unmarried women were given the opportunity to apply to be declared legally competent, and in 1864 domestic violence against one’s wife was banned. Homosexuality was still a crime as recently as in the 1930s and an illness until 1979, and not until 2009 was the right to same-sex marriage on the same terms as for heterosexuals granted. As recently as at the beginning of the year sex changes had to be preceded by sterilization.
Even though many of these changes were controversial in their day, present-day Swedes are now positive about most of them — and find it hard to imagine how things were before.
“Even with regard to HBT (homosexual, bisexual and transgender) issues many people say they support a change, but few of them are prepared to fight for one,” says Anna Galin, coordinator at Umeå University’s External Relations and a member of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL).
“Nothing happens of its own accord. You have to talk, discuss things, undergo training — and it’s interesting to challenge your own ideas,” she says, citing by way of example the fact that racism has also been discussed within RFSL.
“Why should we of all people be immune? We’re not an island, not a protected site, and presumably— just like the university — we feature the entire spectrum of opinions, as societal structures are probably reflected everywhere. We maybe don’t use words such as ‘nigger’ or ‘poofter’ out loud, but that doesn’t mean there’s no racism or homophobia here.”
THE 2004 national survey by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life shows a higher level of ill health amongst gays and bisexuals than amongst heterosexuals. Maybe in part because 50 per cent were not — were afraid to be(?) — open about their orientation in front of their colleagues?
Whilst just under one in ten heterosexuals has heard derogatory opinions of gays or bisexuals at their workplace, nearly one in three gays/bisexuals has experienced such comments.
“You do not experience the same things if you belong to the ‘norm’ ,” says Anna Galin, pointing out that according to the survey 40 per cent of those asked had at some time refrained from taking part in conversations with colleagues because they did not feel they could be open about their orientation. “It’s hardly an ideal work climate.” SHE POINTS OUT that even though Sweden has taken major steps towards ‘normalization’ of the view of gays and bisexuals, it is quite another matter for transgender persons. Hardly any of them are open about their orientation at work.
“How would we react if a male manager come to work in a dress? ‘Are we actually that tolerant?’,” Anna wonders, and thinks it is precisely the fact that we wonder what the respective ‘approved’ behaviors for men and women are that clarifies the actual power structures.
Because it is without a doubt more acceptable for a woman to dress and behave in a ‘male’ fashion— it is possibly considered a careerist move — than it is for a man to behave and dress like a woman. The latter is often seen as a step downwards, and as being ridiculous. ANNA GALIN’S DREAM is for part of Umeå University — the first of the Swedish universities — to be HBT-certified, as has become increasingly common in healthcare facilities. The certification is issued after a six-month process involving training that is adapted to the workplace in question.
“Primarily the Students’ Centre, the Student Health Service, the Staff Unit and Communications and International Relations — those working directly with students and employees, and with information for them,” she says.
“It would also be feasible to start by giving managers increased authorization, as they often set norms the level of what is acceptable. Because it is only when you do something that anything changes!”
TEXT: Michael Nordvall PHOTO: Mattias Pettersson
This article was featured in the June 2013 issue of Aktum, the magazine for faculty and staff at Umeå University.
