When an individual described by the Equality Ombudsman (DO) as a “woman with trans experience” applied for an internship, she was first offered a place, but after a meeting, the offer was withdrawn. The Equality Ombudsman considers this to be discrimination and is now demanding the opposing party pay 50,000 SEK.

As part of their education at a folk high school, the complainant was required to do an internship and chose the Equmenia Church in Hallunda. After a visit to the church and a meeting with the deacon and pastor, the person received an email stating that the offer of an internship could no longer be extended. The explanation given was that the LGBTQ issue was considered “too sensitive and difficult for the congregation.” At the same time, it was emphasized that the topic was not too sensitive for the church’s leaders.

The person saw the email while on the way to the church and chose to proceed there to confront the deacon. The school principal later filed a complaint with the DO.

From the complaint:

Could Be at Risk

In a statement from the church, a representative wrote that they “feared that the complainant could potentially be exposed to degrading treatment and it also could not be ruled out that it might involve physical harm as well.”

The church also emphasized that, despite the person being informed about how complicated the topic of crossing gender identity is in the congregation and of the challenges the internship could involve, the complainant insisted on wanting to proceed with the placement.

“In our goodwill, we tried to find solutions and be accommodating, but in hindsight, we can state that we should not
have started the VFU (work placement) process,” the church adds.

At the same time, they do not accept that discrimination took place.

“We believe we did not fail in our conduct towards the complainant in terms of disadvantaging, harassing, or treating them differently. However, we are aware that the issue of crossing gender identity is difficult to address in dialogue in our context, and we feared that the complainant’s safety might be at risk,” they reply to the DO and continue:

“We did our best to find good prerequisites for the VFU period, but unfortunately, we had to recognize the shortcomings and lack of sustainability, with focus on the complainant’s best interests.”

Internship Paused

After the incident, the church decided to pause the possibility for VFU internships with them. They also assured that in the future they would “clarify, both for ourselves and for any future interns, the prerequisites for VFU internships in our context” to avoid anyone experiencing discomfort.

“Working and living in an intercultural environment is challenging for many, regardless of sexuality or identity. It requires a high degree of intercultural competence from everyone involved in encountering other ways of expressing or practicing one’s faith,” writes the church, expressing regret that the complainant felt offended.

50,000 SEK

A few days ago, the DO announced its decision, concluding that the complainant had been subjected to “direct discrimination.”

DO is now demanding that the congregation pay the complainant 50,000 SEK in compensation for discrimination.

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