Membership
Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions about membership, networks, My membership page or Discord.
Do RFSL Ungdom have member benefits?
As a member in RFSL Ungdom, you will get…
- to learn more about LGBTQIA, politics and your rights
- a community where you can be yourself and meet other members
- to be involved when we decide what RFSL Ungdom should think and do
- the possibility to help improve living conditions for young LGBTQIA people
- our monthly digital newsletter with latest news and invite to our Discord
The more we are, the bigger the difference we can make!
How do I become a member of RFSL Ungdom?
Do you want to fight for all young LGBTQIA people to have their human rights respected? If you are up to 30 years of age and accepts our statutes, you should become a member of RFSL Ungdom for free!
It is easy to join: simply go to blimedlem.rfslungdom.se and fill out our form. Your membership is linked to our local organisations: you decide which local organisation you want to join. You can also become a member of our parent federation RFSL. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation and a welcome letter on email with information on how you can get involved.
How do I renew my membership?
Your membership is valid until 31 December and needs to be renewed annually. It is quick and easy to renew: just fill out the form at blimedlem.rfslungdom.se to stay connected.
How do I join Discord?
RFSL Ungdoms Discord server is a digital meeting place where you can chill with other members, discuss activism and network with elected representatives. You find the invitation link in footer of our newsletters and on My Membership page.
All you need to join is an account on Discord and agree to our rules. After joining, you also need to wait a little while before you can start posting. See you on the server!
Where do I find my Membership Card?
All members get a digital membership card. Simply follow these steps to view and/or download your membership card:
- Log in to My membership page
- Click on ”Medlemskort” in the top menu
- Click on ”Ladda ner medlemskort som pdf” to download your membership card
Please note that RFSL Ungdom does not issue physical membership cards.
Health
Where can I get mental health support?
Mental health is a priority for RFSL Ungdom and we have dedicated considerable effort in our previous projects to support our community. Due to funding constraints, we can currently only provide chat support for individuals under 20. You can chat with us every Monday from 3 pm to 5 pm, or book a session anonymously at any time. Read more about the chat on rfslungdom.se/sakrare. For everyone above the age of 20, we recommend the following resources:
RFSL has run a support service since 1998. The focus group is LGBTQI people who have been subject to harassment, threat, and violence. Sometimes the acts are criminal, but not always. Friends and family of LGBTQI people who are subject to violence and professionals who meet LGBTQI people in their work are also welcome to contact us. Call 020-34 13 16.
Suicide prevention hotline is for you if you’re thinking about taking your life or know someone close who is. They offer support on chat, e-mail and telephone: call 90101. They are open every day 24/7. However, it might be difficult to get through at times. In those cases, they are happy to recommend other great support services. You should always call 112 if there’s an immediate risk of suicide.
Support Line for Men is there for you if you have been subjected to physical or psychological violence by someone close to you or to sexual violence. The support line is open every day from 7 am to 9 pm. Calls are free, and you remain anonymous when you call. Call 020-80 80 80.
Support Line for Transgender People is there for you if you are transgender or a nonbinary adult and have been subjected to physical or psychological violence by someone close to you or to sexual violence. The support line is open every day from 11 am to 7 pm. Calls are free, and you remain anonymous when you call. Call 020-55 00 00.
You find more resources on rfslungdom.se/hbtqia/stod.
Where can I get tested for HIV & Stis?
Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are covered by the communicable diseases act is always free of charge everywhere in Sweden. That includes HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and hepatitis.
RFSL offers free and anonymous HIV and syphilis testing for men and trans people who have sex with men in Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Örebro, Borås and Östersund. Those services are called Checkpoint or Testpoing.
Young people can get tested at youth clinics. The upper age limit varies, but it is usually around 23 or 25. All youth clinics are listed on www.youmo.se.
In larger cities, there are usually specialist clinics for testing. In Stockholm and Gothenburg, there are clinics for men who have sex with men and trans people, and they are called Venhälsan and Gayhälsan. You can also get tested for HIV and STIs at a primary health care clinic. You can find a testing clinic in your area at 1177.se/hitta-vard by searching for “STI” or “HIV.”
More and more county councils offer the opportunity to order a home test for chlamydia and, in some counties, gonorrhea. These can also be bought at pharmacies. However, most of these tests only test for genital infections and not for infections in the butt or the throat.
How does RFSL's testing reminder work?
With RFSL’s testing reminder, you get a text message when it’s time to go and get tested. The service is free and anonymous and is available for men and trans people who have sex with men. You can choose to get a reminder every third, sixth or twelfth month.
Text THREE, SIX or TWELWE to 711 11 to start the service.
Asylum & Migration
Where can I get legal advice?
RFSL Ungdom are currently not able to offer legal advice for asylum-seeking LGBTQIA youth. Instead, we recommend that you contact any of these trusted organizations and contacts.
RFSL Newcomers is a network for and with asylum seekers, newly arrived, and undocumented LGBTQI people in Sweden. Contact them at [email protected] or call 08-501 629 00.
Swedish Refugee Law Center offers free legal advice on issues related to asylum, family reunification, Swedish citizenship, and Swedish immigration legislation. They also provide information about conditions in individual countries, which is significant in the assessment of asylum reasons and other grounds for residency permits. The phone advice service is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 am to 11 am. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0200-88 00 66.
Rainbow Refugees Sweden work to support, empower and build networks for asylum seekers and refugees that have fled persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The organization aims at creating a safe situation and building community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other individuals with queer expressions and identities (LGBTQ+) through meeting places, activities, counselling and support activities.
Can I join a Newcomers Youth Meeting Place?
Currently, our Newcomers Youth Network does not have any ongoing activities or meeting places that you could join. We understand the importance of having a safe and supportive space for LGBTQIA+ youth, and we are currently working on making it happen.
Can I start a new meeting place?
If you or someone you know is interested in starting a meeting place in your area, we would love to help make that happen! Just send us some basic information and we will try to link you up with others close by who are also interested. This way, you can all work together to set up an LGBTQIA meeting place right where you live.
Please email [email protected] with the following details:
- Email subject: Start a meeting place in [Your Municipality]
- Your name
- Your age
- Your municipality
- Your interest in starting a meeting place
You find more information on rfslungdom.se/trygga-rum.
How do I apply for asylum in Sweden?
If you are planning to come to Sweden and seek asylum, we encourage you to visit the website of the Swedish Migration Agency, the government agency responsible for processing asylum applications in Sweden. The Swedish migration law states that If you have a well-founded fear of persecution because of your sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity or membership of a particular social group, you may be a refugee and have the right to receive protection in Sweden. This is stated in the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Swedish law and the EU’s rules.
You can read more about Swedish migration laws and practices on the following links:
It’s important to note that seeking asylum in Sweden is never a guarantee of residency in Sweden. The residencies that are granted are temporary and can be renewed; they can lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
Can RFSL Ungdom help me get a visa?
RFSL Ungdom is unable to offer advice or support to those who want to relocate to Sweden from other countries or are currently located outside of Sweden. We understand that the asylum-seeking process can be complex and challenging, and we recognize that many LGBTQIA individuals face significant barriers when attempting to leave their home countries. However, we do not have the resources or expertise to provide assistance with visas, border crossings, or other related matters.
If you are seeking help leaving your home country, we recommend contacting one of the following organizations, which may be able to provide you with additional support and resources:
If you successfully arrive in Sweden, we would be pleased to connect with you and offer whatever assistance we can. Please feel free to email us at [email protected].
How do I apply for a work permit?
The main rule is that you should apply for and have been granted a work permit before entering Sweden. When applying online, you are given clear instructions about how to fill in your application and what you should send with the application. This makes it easier for you to apply correctly and increases your chances of a quick decision. To obtain a work permit, you must have a job and be able to show an employment contract. You cannot enter Sweden until the permit has been granted. Under certain circumstances, you can apply for and obtain a permit while in the country. You can read more about Swedish migration laws and practices on the following links:
Can I study in Sweden?
The possibility of studying in Sweden is dependent on your country of origin and the applicable rules. As a result, there is no definitive answer to this question. However, you can click on the following links to gain more information about how this applies to you.
Can RFSL Ungdom help me financially?
RFSL Ungdom is unable to offer financial assistance, regardless of whether you reside in Sweden or elsewhere.