First rainbow devotional held at Suviseurat

A private devotional for sexual and gender minorities was held in a caravan at the conservative Laestadian Suviseurat gathering in Kauhava, with around 30 adults attending.

Theology student Havu Pellikka organised the event, which was not part of the official programme. Pellikka said the aim was to offer a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to practise spirituality without their identity or relationships being questioned.

The half-hour session included short devotional speeches based on the Bible, prayer, and singing. Pellikka noted the strong demand for such gatherings.

Activist group Tarratoimikunta, which distributed over 30,000 stickers criticising conservative Laestadian teachings, reported improved intervention by security this year after facing harassment in 2025. Essi Mutanen of the group said one sticker distributor was struck with a camping chair on Saturday, while others had stickers torn up or burned. Mutanen also reported being hit by a large object for the first time, causing pain.

Transgender-related harassment has increased this year, according to the group, possibly linked to a Yle documentary on their work. However, security chair Esa Kaikkonen confirmed that authorities responded to individual reports as they arose.

Senja Myllymäki of Tarratoimikunta noted that even conservative adults had intervened to stop harassment, marking a change from previous years.