Finnish Lawmaker Fined for Calling Homosexuality ‘Developmental Disorder’

Finland's highest court convicted a Christian Democratic parliament member and ordered her to pay nearly $2,100 for social media posts claiming homosexuality was scientifically proven to be a developmental disorder. The controversial ruling has sparked debate over free speech limits and drawn international attention from conservative groups.

A Finnish parliament member has been convicted and fined by the country’s highest court for describing homosexuality as a “developmental disorder” in social media posts, marking the end of a years-long legal battle that has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech boundaries.

The Supreme Court of Finland ruled Tuesday that Paivi Rasanen, a physician who has served in parliament representing the Christian Democratic party since 1995, was guilty of inciting against a group. The conviction stems from statements she made on social media in 2019 and published on her personal website in 2020, where she claimed scientific evidence supported her characterization of homosexuality as a developmental disorder.

The court imposed a financial penalty of 1,800 euros, equivalent to approximately $2,080, on Rasanen.

In its decision, which passed by a narrow 3-2 vote, the court stated that Rasanen “must have understood that, for example, claiming that homosexuality is a disorder of psychosexual development is, in light of the prevailing medical understanding, an incorrect assertion.” This verdict reversed earlier decisions by lower courts, which had cleared Rasanen of all accusations.

The U.S.-based Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal organization focused on free speech advocacy, had backed Rasanen throughout the proceedings. The group has pointed to her case as evidence of what it describes as European censorship efforts.

Speaking to media after the ruling, Rasanen expressed surprise at the outcome, calling it “a shock.” She indicated she may take her case to the European Court of Human Rights for further review.

The decision immediately prompted calls for legislative reform from government officials within Rasanen’s party and the nationalist Finns Party. Ville Tavio, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development from the Finns Party and a practicing Christian, told reporters that “The law on incitement against a group should be amended.”

The court did clear Rasanen on a related charge involving a biblical quote condemning same-sex relationships that she shared on social media in 2019.

The case has attracted international attention, with U.S. House Republicans inviting Rasanen to testify before the Judiciary Committee in Washington this past February. The hearing, titled “Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation,” featured her discussing the legal proceedings.