What Is RFSL?

RFSL - Riksförbundet för homosexuellas, bisexuellas och transpersoners rättigheter (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). It is non-partisan and not affiliated with any religious organization.

History

RFSL is one of the world’s oldest LGBT organizations. It was founded in October 1950 as a Swedish branch of The Danish Federation of 1948. In April 1952, RFSL adopted its current name and declared itself as an independent organization. It currently has 28 branches throughout Sweden, from Piteå in the north to Malmö in the south, and over 6,000 members.

What are RFSL’s goals?

RFSL’s vision and ultimate goal is a society that is characterized by respect for and acceptance of people’s differences on such a sweeping scale that organizations such as RFSL are no longer necessary.

RFSL’s objective is that the same rights, opportunities and obligations will be applicable for LGBT people as they are for everyone else in society.

What does RFSL do?

RFSL works to improve the quality of life for LGBT people through political lobbying, information dissemination, and the organization of social and support activities. Internationally, RFSL works with the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) and also collaborates with other LGBT organizations in neighboring countries.

The federation operates counseling centers for both women and men in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. The counseling is intended for people who need to talk about coming out, sex, HIV/AIDS and other health issues, and relationships, as well as who need assistance in their contact with the authorities and healthcare institutions, or who require legal assistance with, for example, asylum and wills.

RFSL produces a magazine, Kom Ut (“Come Out”), which is published 10 times annually. In addition, the federation maintains the www.rfsl.se website, which is frequently updated with new information.

Download a one-page PDF about RFSL (76 kB)

Download Belonging, RFSL's basic booklet on LGBT persons (PDF 1.5 MB)