Research and academic work in Estonia
The HEALTH project by Praxis [Think Tank Praxis] conducted an extensive study on the rights of LGBTQI+ people and on health equity in Estonia, including questions related to transgender healthcare.
Study: Tervishoiutöötajate ja tudengite hoiakud ja teadlikkus LGBTI patsientide suhtes [Attitudes and awareness of healthcare professionals and students toward LGBTI patients]. Praxis, 2024.
Published materials:
- Juhendmaterjal tervishoiutöötajale “Trans-tervishoiu põhitõed” [Guidelines for healthcare professionals: The basics of transgender healthcare]
- Juhendmaterjal tervishoiutöötajatele “Mida peaksin teadma LGBTQI+ inimeste kohta?” [Guidelines for healthcare professionals: What should I know about LGBTQI+ people?]
- Praxise poliitikasoovitused transtervishoiu korraldamise kohta [Praxis policy recommendations for organizing transgender healthcare]
- Taskuteatmik LGBTQI+ inimestele “Minu tervis, minu õigused” [Pocket guide for LGBTQI+ people: My health, my rights]
Eesti LGBT Ühing [Estonian LGBT Association] carried out a nationwide school climate survey in 2018 on the well-being and challenges faced by LGBT+ students in Estonia.
Sara Arumets’s article “Õigus soolise üleminekuga seotud tervishoiule” [The right to healthcare related to gender transition] provides a clear overview of developments in transgender healthcare, both globally and in Estonia.
Advocacy organisations in Estonia
Eesti Transinimeste Ühing [Estonian Trans Alliance]
A human rights and advocacy organisation working for the visibility, rights, and well-being of gender minorities in Estonia.
Eesti LGBT Ühing [Estonian LGBT Association]
An organisation serving the LGBT+ community in Estonia. It conducts strategic advocacy to ensure that the state guarantees equal opportunities for LGBT+ people.
A feminist online magazine and advocacy platform. Its contributing authors represent a wide range of gender identities, with particular attention given to including trans authors and covering trans-related topics. Relevant articles can be found under the trans tag on their website.
Eesti Inimõiguste Keskus [Estonian Human Rights Centre]
An advocacy organisation that provides legal support and strategic litigation to protect people belonging to minority groups in Estonia.
International research, data, and media resources
- Transgender Europe (TGEU) — Trans Rights Index & Map provides a comprehensive overview of the state of trans rights across Europe and Central Asia.
- TGEU Trans Health Map — visualises the availability and accessibility of trans-specific healthcare services in 27 EU member states.
- ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map and Index — an annual comparative study ranking 49 European countries based on their LGBTI equality laws and policies.
- European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) — conducts the largest survey of the LGBT+ community in Europe, gathering data on discrimination, safety, and inclusion.
- GLAAD — a U.S.-based media monitoring organisation offering a collection of useful media resources and guidelines for journalists and content creators.
- Trans Journalists Association (TJA) — provides best-practice recommendations for journalists reporting on trans and gender-diverse communities.
Intersex organizations
OII Europe (Organisation Intersex International Europe)
An umbrella organisation for groups working on intersex issues across Europe. OII Europe advocates for human rights, legal recognition, and bodily autonomy for intersex people.
An advocacy organisation focused on defending the rights of intersex youth. interACT works to raise awareness, promote visibility, and ensure that intersex young people are heard in policymaking and public dialogue.
A U.S.-based organisation campaigning to end invasive and unnecessary surgeries performed on intersex children. The project centres the voices of intersex people and fights for bodily integrity and justice.
Publications about Intersex topics
- Media Guide: Covering the Intersex Community – interACT, 2017
- UN Fact Sheet: Intersex – Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 2019
- Intersections: The LGBTI II Survey: Intersex Analysis – ILGA Europe
- Background Note on Human Rights Violations Against Intersex People – Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 2019
- “I Want to Be Like Nature Made Me” Medically Unnecessary Surgeries on Intersex Children in the US – Human Rights Watch, 2017