Harassment reported by gender minorities in Savonlinna as local officials respond

Several young individuals from gender and sexual minorities in Savonlinna have reported experiencing severe harassment. Nineteen-year-old Mikael Nousiainen stated that he is subjected to insults weekly and has faced stalking at times. “I don’t feel safe. I don’t understand why I should be mentally stoned for looking the way I do or for being who I am,” he expressed.

Sixteen-year-old Jari Pelvo spoke about name-calling and harsh online comments, stating, “People say things like, ‘go kill yourself.’ It’s really extreme.” While some students wished to remain anonymous, many are vocal about their experiences of discrimination.

Incidents of harassment have also been reported during Pride events in other locations, such as Raisio and Joensuu. Local officials, including Savonlinna’s mayor Janne Laine, have denied prior knowledge of the harassment, claiming the city addressed these issues through official channels a couple of years ago. However, students from Savonlinna Art High School claim the atmosphere toward LGBTQ+ communities remains narrow-minded and even aggressive.

Reima Härkönen, the school’s principal, acknowledged that reports of harassment persist but noted that the situation has calmed. Laine remarked that the Pride movement elicits mixed feelings and suggested a review of these experiences.

Tilda Salo, one of the organizers of Savonlinna’s Pride since 2021, has faced threats and harassment. The region’s police confirmed ongoing issues related to harassment during events. Many local gender and sexual minorities have encountered both physical and verbal abuse, including disturbing incidents involving water guns reportedly filled with urine.

Community leaders and activists are calling for local government support to ensure safety and fair treatment for all.