It is, according to Swedish law, illegal to discriminate a person due to that person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Relationships between same sex couples are widely accepted and same sex couples have a legal right to get married and adopt children. The legal age of consent for all sexual activity is 15 years.
Right to marriage
A change of law in 2009 made it possible for same sex couples to get married in Sweden. The present marriage law is gender-neutral, which means that the marriage rights and obligations apply to all married couples. This implies that married same sex couples have a right to joint parenthood, adoption and medically assisted insemination. The Swedish law is also equal to all couples that are not married but live together – so called “sambos”.
Asylum and Residence Permits
Same sex couples have the same right as heterosexual couples to apply for residence permit based on family ties. Applicants are generally required to apply for a residence permit from their native country. People who have been persecuted in their native countries due to their homosexuality may be granted asylum in Sweden. Read more on asylum and residence permit here.
RFSL
RFSL—The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights is a non-profit organization that works with and for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT). RFSL has counselling centres for both women and men in Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö. The counseling is for people who need to talk about coming out, sex, STI’s and relationships.
RFSL also offers assistance in the contact with authorities and healthcare institutions. It is also possible to get legal assistance with, for example, asylum and wills. Visit RFSL website to learn more.
Ombudsman
The Ombudsman Against Discrimination (DO) is the government authority that works against homophobia and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
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