Mikkeli center explores LGBTQ+ history of war through rainbow tour

Drag artist Rusina Serrato recently entertained Finnish soldiers at the front lines, while Swedish performers captivated them wearing colorful dresses. Meanwhile, what were women on the home front doing during the absence of men? For decades, many aspects of wartime life have remained unspoken. Now, the Sodan ja rauhan keskus Muisti (Center for War and Peace) in Mikkeli is bringing the LGBTQ+ history of war into the public eye.

The center’s so-called Rainbow Tour aims to explore the history of gender and sexual minorities from the early 20th century to the present, with a primary focus on wartime. The tour addresses issues such as how homosexuality manifested at the front. According to researcher Leena Hangasmaa, there is very little recorded information on the topic; homosexuality was criminalized and viewed as a disease in 1940s Finland.

Most experiences are found in private archives, diaries, and photographs, as discussions about the subject were largely taboo. The tour highlights drag performances organized at the front, where men dressed as women to entertain. Similar shows were conducted in many countries during the wars.

There is less documented information on women’s same-sex relationships, but the upcoming exhibition touches on this aspect as well, indicating it was relatively easier for women to engage in same-sex relationships at that time.

Hangasmaa notes the propensity to question the sexual orientation of historical figures, such as Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, the Finnish commander during the Winter and Continuation Wars. The LGBTQ-focused tour, celebrating Mikkeli Pride, will run until April, with materials accessed via QR codes throughout the exhibition building.