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Stockholm Pride.

Photo: Yanan Li

Categories: Activities

The LGBTQI+ guide to Stockholm

Publish date: 14 July 2022

Gay and lesbian life in Stockholm is like the city itself: easily accessible, hugely fun, highly varied, warm, and welcoming. Over the years, Stockholm has emerged as one of the world’s favorite LGTBQI+ destinations, winning awards and topping Where to go-lists across the planet.

Want to find LGBTQI+ -friendly restaurants and bars? Check out our guide here!

Looking for The LGBTQI+ clubs and events? See what's coming up in our guide!

Stockholm Pride is the biggest LGBTQ+ event of the year. Read more about this year's festival in our guide.

LGBT Progress in Sweden

  • 1944 Homosexual relationships are legalized
  • 1972 Sweden becomes the first country in the world to legally allow gender change
  • 1979 The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) decides homosexuality is no longer a mental disorder
  • 1987 Ban on discrimination against homosexuals by businesses and government officials takes effect
  • 1988 Homosexuals included in the cohabitation law
  • 1995 The Registered Partnership Act (domestic partnership law) is passed
  • 1999 HomO, an ombudsman for LGBT people, is established
  • 2003 Constitutional change to outlaw hate speech based on sexual orientation
  • 2003 Adoption rights for same-sex couples
  • 2005 Insemination rights for lesbian couples
  • 2009 Transgender identity and expressions included in the anti-discrimination act
  • 2009 Gender-neutral marriage law in effect
  • 2011 Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation is added to the Swedish constitution
  • 2013 Mandatory sterilization stricken from the law regarding change of legal gender