The LGBTQ+ guide to Stockholm
Publish date: 29 October 2025
In Stockholm, you are free to express yourself and love whomever you choose. Welcome to a vibrant and LGBTQ+-friendly capital.
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 LGTBQ+ destinations, winning awards and topping Where to go-lists across the planet.
Want to find LGBTQ+ -friendly restaurants and bars? Check out our guide here!
Looking for The LGBTQ+ 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.
Want LGBTQ-travel tips? Check out StockholmLGBT for more inspiration, and LGBTQ+ highlights!
LGBTQ+ 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
- 2017 Sweden declassified “gender dysphoria” as a mental illness