Activism

For those interested in LGBTQ+ activism, the Helsinki Pride community provides exciting projects and workshops. Previously known as HeSeta, this network has a long tradition of grassroots advocacy in Helsinki.

The platform’s event calendar is packed with activities catering to diverse interests and life situations. Events tailored to specific groups range from small gatherings to the annual Helsinki Pride main event – a massive human rights and cultural celebration that attracts over 100,000 participants. The peer support group People of Two Minorities (‘Kahden vähemmistön väki’, KVV, in Finnish) offers meet-ups for disabled and/or chronically ill representatives of sexual and gender minorities. The Bi/Pan+ nights provide a space for adults identifying within the bi and pansexual spectrum to connect and discuss. Global Queers in Helsinki is an English-speaking hangout for LGBTQ+ individuals. Meanwhile, younger attendees might enjoy various Youth Pride events. Most activities, groups, and workshops are held at the Helsinki Pride community’s space at the Cable Factory.

If your focus is specifically on advancing the rights of gender minorities, Trasek is an association for transgender and intersex rights. Open for anyone to join, Trasek advocates for human rights, anti-discrimination measures, and proper medical care for transgender and intersex individuals. More information about Trasek can be found on its website.

Grown women

The Women’s Evening organised by the Helsinki Pride association is open to all lesbian, bisexual and other rainbow women, with all respect given to self-definition. The evenings are attended by women of all ages, from 20-somethings to 50-somethings. There is a chance to partake in discussion and to get to know new people. Some of the meetings centre around certain topics, and some are more free opportunities to simply mingle. 

The Mummolaakso association (Granny Valley) organises events such as dances, excursions, evening meet-ups, weekend camps, theatre visits and more. The purpose of the association is to offer its members information, fun moments and opportunities to make and maintain contacts to other lesbian and bisexual women, as well as to “advance mutual solidarity and care amongst lesbian and bi women, and to offer an alternative to elderly care that is based on one’s own identity”. The aim is to also create a social network that can serve to assist its members in case of loneliness, illness and other crises. 

Bears 

A prominent subculture within the gay community, the bear scene celebrates traditionally masculine traits, such as beards and larger body types. Helsinki’s bear community hosts events tailored for bear enthusiasts and their friends. The Bear With Us Helsinki (BWU) collective organises activities including club nights, saunas, brunches, and more. Their events are open to bears, bear admirers, and men of all ages, sizes, and appearances.

A summer highlight is the Bears on Board cruise, held every July. This lively party cruise is hosted by long-time club influencer DJ Mr. A.

Fetish

Fetish events have long been a cornerstone of gay culture. In Helsinki, such events are organised by groups like MSC Finland – Tom’s Club, one of Finland’s oldest LGBTQ+ organisations.

MSC Finland caters to men interested in leather, rubber, uniforms, and sports gear. Originally founded as MSC Finland, the group adopted its current name in 1991 in honour of its honorary chairman, Touko Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland. The club hosts regular dress code nights and themed events, including the annual Mr Fetish Finland competition. With MSC being part of the European Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (ECMC) network, membership provides access to also affiliated clubs and events across Europe, while non-members are charged an entry fee.

Located in Vallila, Club X is Finland’s first private BDSM club with a monthly membership fee. It offers excellent facilities for sessions, including an array of props and tools, imaginatively decorated rooms, and halls equipped with PA systems and stage tech. A separate sauna area is also available.

Erotic rope art, or shibari, has gained popularity beyond kink and BDSM communities. In Helsinki, organisations like Helsinki Shibari host events and workshops. Other niche communities include Helsingin akateemiset kinkyt (Häkki), an association for academic kinksters active primarily at the University of Helsinki.

The Helsinki Pride community also hosts LGBTQIA+ Kinky Discussion Evenings, open to all sexual and gender minorities interested in kink or fetishes. These events foster safe, friendly discussions with an emphasis on forming connections rather than seeking partners.

Cruising

Sex positivity has been central to LGBTQ+ culture for decades. In Helsinki, men interested in meeting other men can visit Sauna Con Hombres, Finland’s only gay sauna, located in Katajanokka. Another popular spot is Keltainen Ruusu, an erotic shop in Kamppi that includes a play area and a two-storey film-viewing space.

Vogue / ballroom culture 

Ballroom culture and voguing have flourished in Helsinki over the past decade. Events have been organised by pioneers such as Venla Vuorio, Virpi Kurkihovi, and dancer-choreographer Roza Ahmad (Princess Coco Ninja), with more newcomers joining the scene.

Ballroom, born in 1960s Harlem, provided a subcultural space for non-white sexual and gender minorities. The scene has gained mainstream attention through shows like Pose and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Vogue balls invite “houses” – family-like communities – to compete in categories like Runway and Best Dressed.

Workshops, balls, and other events are regularly held in Helsinki. Updates can be found on social media, such as on the Facebook group Waacking & Voguing – Suomi-Finland.

Club kidz and drag

One only needs to scratch the surface of Helsinki’s club world to discover the vibrant and avantgarde moods of the city’s queer underground, offering something radical for those looking beyond conventional nightlife. Colourful club collectives like House of Disappointments, Korgy, and La Persé are well-known in Helsinki’s party scene, frequently hosting their own events at venues such as Ääniwalli and DTM.

For alternative drag, Helsinki’s scene is rich with several collectives creating exciting, next-generation drag art that challenges traditional roles. Crews like House of Auer and We Are Queerlesque produce high-quality, DIY drag events throughout the city, with opportunities for also newbies to join in.

Follow local drag events on the Facebook group Drag Suomi.

Queer feminism and diversity

Equality and feminism are deeply valued by many within the LGBTQ+ community.

The Matriarkaatti collective creates events that celebrate fun and foster opportunities for underrepresented groups in the club scene.

MYÖS, a Helsinki-based DIY collective and network, supports underrepresented actors in electronic music, from DJs and producers to organisers and audiences. MYÖS events emphasise safer space principles and mutual respect.