Oulu Youth Services and its partners support young people who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community as broadly as possible – starting from counseling and support person services. Regular community gatherings are organized for both teenagers and young adults. Additionally, the services will be highly visible during OuluPride Week in early August. Join us in exploring these events, starting with activities for the youngest age groups. Enjoy the article!
An evening at Kastelli – Queer youth evenings for 11–17-year-olds at the Kastelli youth centre, Huudi
A spring Tuesday evening at the Kastelli youth centre is bustling. Around twenty young people are spending time with each other and the youth workers. Among the regular staff, Maarit is present, and coordinator Sari has also joined. The atmosphere is tangibly joyful and friendly. Everyone who walks through the door is warmly welcomed.
Many arrive with a friend or have arranged to meet up at the youth centre. The group has helped people find companions and even close friends, which is one of the main goals of the activity. Young people come from all over Oulu – the bus stops right nearby, making it easy to get there.
Everyone aged 11–17 is welcome. The activities are open to all. There are no fixed themes for the evenings; instead, the youth workers listen to the young people and organize activities based on their wishes. Crafts and art supplies are available, and there is always something to eat. The young people themselves are enthusiastic about organizing activities: for example, they have hosted Kahoot quizzes and put together several Open Mic nights.
The group is full of diverse and talented artists. Everyone participates according to their own mood, and for most, the most important thing is simply meeting familiar faces. Tonight, a hot dog buffet is on offer, and to close the evening, assistant youth worker Oodi will host a game of bingo. Every activity is met with enthusiasm, and everyone participates actively.
Sticker art activity
Why are these evenings important?
The queer evenings were launched in spring 2022 based on the wishes and needs of local youth. Previously, there were no activities for queer youth under the age of 18 in Oulu. Many young people are left alone with thoughts about their identity, and the need for peer support and like-minded company is significant. Youth worker Maarit recalls: “One young person’s comment about the meaning of these evenings has stuck with me. They said this activity has been eye-opening for them. That really warmed my heart, in a big way. It made me truly understand the profound impact that peer support and this initiative have on these young people.”
The activities are free of charge, which also feels important. In May, the group went on a trip to Leo’s Indoor Playground, another destination suggested by the youth. Queer evenings are held every other Tuesday. “Two weeks is a good interval; it makes the queer evenings feel appropriately special,” says one of the attendees.
A large share of the visitors participates regularly, which allows for long-term friendships to form. The shared mindset among the youth ensures that newcomers are immediately welcomed into the group. The wide age range is not a barrier; instead, they form their own community regardless of age gaps. All of this creates a safe atmosphere and makes it easy to join. The consistency of familiar youth workers is also important. The youth can share joys, achievements, worries, and sorrows with them.
Even the busiest students choose to spend their Tuesday evenings specifically at Kastelli. “These queer evenings come before many other things.” Oodi agrees. They mention having attended these evenings for years and now, as an adult, enjoying working as a peer leader.
The youth centre Huudi in Kastelli was listed among the facilities to be closed down in the spring 2026 service network proposal. There was great concern about the evenings ending at Kastelli, as they have already evolved into a familiar and safe meeting place for the youth. Now it is certain that the youth centre will remain, and the evenings will continue at Kastelli starting August 18th.
Young adults gather at Nuorten Bysis
Young adults up to the age of 29 gather in their own groups. Queer evenings for young adults are held once a month at the youth centre Nuorten Bysis. Oulu Youth Services organizes these evenings in cooperation with Vuolle’s Girls’ and Boys’ Houses (Tyttöjen Talo and Poikien Talo).
The evenings feature varying themes, ranging from crafts to mental well-being and emotional skills. Good food is always provided, offering a comfortable way to start the evening. Young people often attend these evenings with their own familiar group or come alone as newcomers looking to make new friends. The participants play games, do crafts, and take part in well-being sessions if they wish. Naturally, the evenings are organized according to the principles of a safer space.
In addition, Oulu Seta hosts queer evenings for everyone under 30 on Mondays at Bysis. All queer evenings at Bysis are free of charge for participants.
AUTUMN SEASON KICKS OFF WITH PRIDE WEEK
Oulu Youth Services will, of course, be taking part in OuluPride Week. All young people are welcome to attend the events organized jointly by youth services and other local operators. The week is packed with a wide variety of activities! Here is this year’s schedule:
Aug 5: Queer youth afternoon at Nuorten Bysis, 2 PM – 5 PM
Spend a pleasant summer day making jewelry and playing yard games. Enjoy hanging out together with light snacks provided. This event is for youth under the age of 18.
Aug 6: Sign-making workshop at Tyttöjen Talo
A workshop where you can create your own sign or banner for the parade.
Fri Aug 7: Customization workshop at Nuorten Bysis, 11 AM – 3 PM
In this workshop, you can make your own badges, keychains, tote bags, and caps.
Fri Aug 7: Panel discussion “Being queer then and now”, 4 PM – 6 PM at Cultural Centre Valve
What does the history of the Finnish queer movement look like? What was it like to be a queer youth in the past, and what is it like today? What is the significance of having your own community?
Saturday Aug 8: Youth Services will host a Youth PrideHouse at Raatti House (Raatin talo) and will also participate in the parade and park festival.
Pre-party (Etkot), 10 AM – 1 PM: Get ready for the parade with crafting, snacks, community building, and dressing up. If they wish, young people can head out to the parade together with the youth workers. All young people are welcome to join the Nuorten Oulu block in the parade.
Park Festival at Kuusisaari, 2 PM – 7 PM: Youth Services will have their own tent, offering information about next autumn’s queer evenings, as well as a wheel of fortune with prizes. Youth Services will also host a picnic in the park area, where young people are welcome to join either alone or with friends.
Youth Afterparty at Raatti House, 6 PM – 11 PM: The afterparty is for young people under the age of 29. The event is free of charge and substance-free. DJ Brawz Maximum will be spinning the tracks at the disco. The evening will also feature competitions, quizzes, juggling, a Catwalk + costume contest organized by Kummacon, and a mocktail bar running in the café area.
Additional information about Queer LGBTQIA+ Activities in Oulu: https://nuortenoulu.fi/en/leisure-activities-and-places/lgbtqia/
Writers: Heidi, Maarit, Sanna and Sari
Translation fi–en by Google AI
This article is part of the content celebrating the 80th anniversary of Oulu Youth Services.
