Queering Teekkari Village

When I began my studies at Aalto School of Business in 2020, I was afraid that other students wouldn’t accept me for who I am. In reality, the biggest problem was that I hadn’t yet learned to accept myself. After my first fall semester here, I stopped participating in student life and thought I would remain lonely until graduation. In the summer of 2021, I decided to find out whether queer students at Aalto had an association of their own, and that decision completely changed the course of my life. Through GAYY, I found friends and a community, developed a huge passion for volunteer work, and finally found a group of business students with whom I truly feel I belong. That chain reaction gave me the courage to begin my medical transition. I went from being shy to becoming confident and brave, found my own study field in design, started my drag career, and joined AYY’s activities through Aava. And to top it all off, I will begin my third degree in mechanical engineering this fall. I strongly believe that there is a place for everyone in the Aalto community. If you are still looking for yours, I wish you luck and the confidence to be yourself, just as you are.

- Adrian Suvisaari (he/him) a.k.a. Furby Baby Carrot, Community Section Aava’s Community Master

I have always felt at home in the Otaniemi community. However, many traditions and the norms built around them still reflect male-centeredness and heteronormativity. Even so, I believe that the majority of our community is committed to building a student culture where everyone can feel seen and heard. There has already been progress, and I sincerely hope it will continue. I admire those who dare to challenge patriarchal attitudes, even at the risk of being labeled killjoys or nitpickers.

I started becoming active in GAYY at the beginning of the year, and it has had a surprisingly significant impact on my life. I had not even realized how much I needed a queer community. In a heteronormative environment, you always feel somewhat left out, and I realized that I had been downplaying my queerness in order to belong. Even though I do not find Otaniemi hostile, having a

queer space has made a huge difference. I can be vulnerable and proud in a way that feels truly unique. I feel that many queer students in Otaniemi have the courage to take up space in our community in a wonderful way, bringing plenty of joy and love with them.

- Ines Saikku (she/they) a.k.a. Konk-Riitta, Member of the GAYY Board

Being gay has never felt like a defining part of my time at Aalto, which sounds odd, but it’s positive that my sexuality doesn’t affect how I’m treated in the community. Still, it’s our constant responsibility to shape Aalto traditions from three historic cultures to be more inclusive, and I think about it too when leading TOKYO, the Aalto Arts association.

I belong to many identities as a queer creative. As a chair of an “umbrella” association for all arts associations, I look like I’m fully accepted in all parts of the student community. But Finnish-language social circles are still sometimes difficult for me, and as an international student, language has often felt like a bigger barrier to belonging than being gay. To me, pride is both a celebration of that progress and a reminder that inclusion involves many dimensions, including making international students feel fully part of the community.

The fact that being gay feels unremarkable today should not be taken for granted, and it reflects progress made by previous generations. So, it’s on all of us to ensure a more inclusive future in the Otaniemi bubble, and beyond it.

- Camille Fourié (he/him), Chair of TOKYO