By Nina Hermansen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Colourbox and private photo

More than 20 percent of Danes find sex between people of the same sex morally unacceptable. This is shown by the first nationwide study of the extent of homophobia in Denmark published earlier this summer in the acclaimed scientific journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

The study is based on the Project SEXUS cohort, a research collaboration between Aalborg University and Statens Serum Institut (SSI), with a population-based study of survey responses from 31,808 Danes aged 15 to 89. The results have sparked an extensive debate about the conditions for sexual minorities in Denmark. Five major daily newspapers have mentioned the study in an editorial, and several ministers have commented on the matter.

The project team – Consultant and Adjunct Professor Morten Frisch (SSI/AAU), Professor Christian Graugaard (AAU), Postdoc Josefine Bernhard Andresen (SSI), and Statistician Mikael Andersson (SSI) received the "Årets Laks" (Salmon of the Year) award on Thursday, August 14. The award is given by LGBT+ Denmark, the preeminent advocacy association in the field, to people or organizations that "swim against the current" and make a particular effort for LGBT+ rights. Previous recipients include Prime Ministers Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Anders Fogh Rasmussen as well as national football coach Kasper Hjulmand.

According to the organization behind the award, the scientific study is a milestone in documenting homophobia and an important counterweight to the notion that Denmark is already on target in this area.

Mental health under pressure

For Professor, MD, PhD Christian Graugaard at the Center for Sexology Research at Aalborg University, the recognition is particularly important because it comes from those who are the subject of the research:

"In recent years, we have had more focus on minority rights and health inequalities, and this study may shed some light on why Danish homosexuals and bisexuals are doing less well mentally than other members of the population," says Christian Graugaard, adding that it only reinforces the motivation to study the Danes' sexuality and health. 

The work continues in a PhD project funded by Independent Research Fund Denmark where the focus is on which minority individuals are particularly vulnerable and how to prevent poor mental health and mental illness.

"We have known for some time that this social group is particularly vulnerable to health challenges. So, we are incredibly pleased that the "Årets Laks" (Salmon of the Year) award puts even more focus on an important and under-explored area where there is a real need for scientific insight," says Christian Graugaard.

The award was presented during Copenhagen Pride at a reception at LGBT+ Denmark in Copenhagen.

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.