Basics 22
against
From a legal point of view, there is some discrimination against gays in Finland The country's penal code forbids the public encouragement of homosexuality, and, unlike the other Scandinavian countries, the homosexual age of consent is 18. Also, there remains a very real taboo against homosexuality in the country: even in Helsinki it's unheard of for a gay couple to embrace in a bar, let alone outside; and out of the capital gays are often ostracised and "queerbashing" is not uncommon. However, nobody has been convicted for breaking the antigay laws, nor as yet have there been any attempts to censor or confiscate gay publications. SETA (Organisation for Sexual Equality in Finland), at Makeiankatu 36 A5, Helsinki, can provide further information on Helsinki and elsewhere and publishes a bimonthly nationwide magazine: during the summer they also print useful pages of information in English for foreign visitors to Helsinki.
rPISABUED TRAVELLERS '
Scandinavia is, in many ways, a model of concern for the disabled traveller wheelchair access, other facilities and help are generally available at hotels, hostels, museums and public places. Getting there, too, is getting easier Scandinavian Seaways ferries have specially adapted cabins, and SY Line offers discounts for disabled passengers.
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In Britain, general information on travel abroad can be obtained from RADAR (The Royal Association for Disablility and Rehabilitation), 25 Mortimer St, London WIN 8AB («071637 5400).
In the US, for details of specialist tour operators and travel agents contact The Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped {SATHj, 347 Fifth Ave, Suite 610, New York, NY 10016 («2124477284), or Mobility ШпаЬО0 USA. PO Box 3551, Eugene, OR 97403 (s503,343 1284).
FACILITIES AND INFORMATION
In Denmark, facilities are generally outstanding The Danish Tourist Board (see p.15 for asssesi publishes a comprehensive 100page brocni№ called Access in Denmark a Travel Guide W
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the Disabled, which airports to zoos.?
For disabled travellers in Norway, the Norwegian Tourist Board issues a Travel Guide for the №MWed(available from national tourist board offices) which lists transport, public tonets and Lommodation accessible to people with disabilities note that it was compiled in 1982 and doesn't seem to have been updated since. Norwegian State Railways have special carriages on most main routes with wheelchair space, hydraulic lifts and a disabled toilet; new ships on the Wurt Coastal Express route have lifts and cabins for disabled people; and new fjord ferries also have lifts from the car deck to the lounge and toilets. According to Norwegian law, all public buildings must be accessible to disabled people.
In Sweden, many hotels are provided with specially adapted rooms, and campingcabin holidays are not beyond wheelchair users either, as some chaletvillages have cabins with wheelchair access.