On Friday, October 3, the winner of this year's Katarina Taikon Prize 2025 was announced at the City Hall. The prize is awarded annually to an organization or individual who through their work strengthens and protects human rights in Stockholm. This year, the prize is shared between language promoter Jenni Kay and Newcomers Stockholm, a member group within RFSL Stockholm for asylum seekers and newly arrived LGBTI people.
Jury's motivation
The jury's motivation reads:
”In times when minorities are increasingly questioned, there is a growing need for safe spaces for LGBTI people. Here, Newcomers Stockholm is an indispensable part of a city that welcomes everyone and stands up for the right of LGBTI people and refugees to live a dignified life.
Newcomers Stockholm is a membership group within RFSL Stockholm for asylum seekers and newly arrived LGBTI people. With language cafés, social activities, legal advice and support talks, their volunteers create an inviting space where people can be themselves. Newcomers Stockholm creates community, security and opportunities for people who have not been able to take this for granted.”
Voices from RFSL Stockholm
- ”Newcomers and RFSL Stockholm have become like a family to me. I started as a visitor at Newcomers and am now a volunteer. For me, it's a place where I've been able to build a network, find community and feel safe. I hope that more people will experience this in the future," says Hamza Nasri, volunteer at Newcomers Stockholm.
- ”The award is a recognition of all that our members and volunteers have already achieved, but also a reminder of how much remains to be done. The need for safe spaces for LGBTI refugees is urgent. We want to continue to build communities where people can feel hope, security and faith in the future,” said Sandy Hamid, coordinator of Newcomers Stockholm.
- ”Newcomers Stockholm has become a lifeline for many, but we see that more meeting places are needed at a time when vulnerability is increasing. The Katarina Taikon Prize strengthens us in continuing to develop our work so that even more people can find a place to feel at home. We work for a Stockholm where no one is left out and where queer people can live fun, meaningful and safe lives regardless of their background,” says Lovise Brade, President of RFSL Stockholm.
About Newcomers Stockholm
Newcomers Stockholm is a membership group at RFSL Stockholm for asylum seekers and newly arrived lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people in Stockholm. The group organizes weekly membership meetings in a safe and welcoming environment with coffee and activities free of charge. Activities include legal advice for asylum cases, testing for STDs and sexual health workshops, creative Swedish classes and queer language cafés, mental health support groups and individual counseling, as well as volunteer training and various social activities.
Newcomers Stockholm is also part of the national network RFSL Newcomers, which works to strengthen the rights of newly arrived and asylum-seeking LGBTI people who have fled to Sweden due to persecution linked to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
About the Katarina Taikon Prize
The prize was established in 2015 by the City of Stockholm in memory of the author and human rights activist Katarina Taikon. It is awarded annually in the City Hall to an organization or individual who through their work strengthens and protects human rights in Stockholm. The prize money is SEK 100,000. This year's prize was presented by Åsa Lindhagen, Mayor for Environment and Climate, responsible for the City of Stockholm's work on the rights of national minorities and indigenous peoples.
