Statutes for RFSL

Adopted at RFSL’s Congress in Skövde, 11–13 May 2018.

Most recently revised by RFSL’s Congress in Linköping, 17–19 October 2025. 

Download Statutes for RFSL as pdf

§ 1. Name and Purpose of the Federation

• 1.1 Our name is RFSL. The name is read as: The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights.
• 1.2 We are a non-profit association which, based on a rights perspective, works with and for homosexual, bisexual, transgender, queer-identified people and intersex people.
• 1.3 Our vision is a society characterised by diversity, openness and respect for people’s differences, where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, has equal rights and obligations, equal value and equal opportunities to live and act.
• 1.4 We conduct activities locally, nationally and internationally with the purpose to:
  1. Change society in the direction of our vision. This is done, among other things, by promoting research, promoting and providing factual information and education, initiating and maintaining contacts with similar organisations in and outside Sweden.

2. Offer help to a person who has been treated badly or has ended up in a difficult situation because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics or because of how the person chooses to express this.
3. Promote cooperation and collaboration between the federation’s member groups, its branches and RFSL Ungdom (RFSL Youth).

• 1.5 We are a feminist and anti-racist organisation that is independent of political parties and religions.

§ 2. Organisation and Activities

• 2.1 RFSL consists of members, organised into branches, together forming a federation.
• 2.2 The National Board is responsible for the federation’s national and international work and for coordinating and providing support to the branches’ work between congresses.
• 2.3 Branches conduct independent activities within the framework of the statutes, political governance documents and other decisions adopted by the Congress, as well as other national guidelines issued by the National Board in consultation with the branches.
• 2.4 The organisation and working methods of RFSL’s national office are determined by the National Board.
• 2.5 The Secretary General (SG) leads the work of the national office. The National Board decides on and draws up instructions for the SG and may continuously issue directions to the SG. The SG represents the organisation externally to the extent decided by the National Board.
• 
  2.6 Linked to the federation is the independent children’s and youth organisation RFSL Ungdom (organisation number 802409-6318). RFSL Ungdom is an independent organisation with its own statutes adopted by RFSL Ungdom.
• 2.7 RFSL shall have close cooperation with RFSL Ungdom in matters that both federations decide are common. The forms of cooperation should be regulated in an agreement between RFSL and RFSL Ungdom.
• 2.8 In boards, working groups and similar bodies, diversity should be sought as far as is practically possible, with regard, for example, to sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, health, ethnic affiliation, religion or other belief, physical and mental function, age, socio-economic background and geographical distribution.
• 2.9 For the work of the Nominating Committee and the auditors there shall be rules of procedure adopted by the Congress.

§ 3 Membership 

• 3.1 Anyone who supports our purpose and our vision can become a member of RFSL.
  
  § 3.2 Membership for an individual person is applied for through a branch.
  
• 3.3 A person who is a member of RFSL Ungdom may also choose to be affiliated to RFSL. Up to and including the year in which a member of RFSL Ungdom turns 26, they are a member of RFSL free of charge

§ 4 Expulsion of a Member 

• 4.1 The National Board may expel a member who has seriously damaged, or risks seriously damaging, the federation’s or a branch’s activities or reputation, who in a significant way counteracts the federation’s purpose and objectives, or if other serious reasons exist.
• 4.2 A branch board may request that the National Board consider the expulsion of a member who is affiliated to the branch. The National Board may also raise the question of expulsion on its own initiative.
• 4.3 Before the National Board decides to expel a member, the Board shall, if possible, consult the branch to which the member is affiliated. The member shall also be offered the opportunity to make a statement to the National Board.
• 4.4 For expulsion, at least two-thirds of all members of the National Board must support it. The decision on expulsion shall be promptly communicated in writing to the member concerned and to the branch to which the member has been affiliated. The decision may be appealed by the expelled member to the federation’s Congress no later than two months after the decision has been made. The appeal shall be addressed to the National Board. If the decision is made later than two months before the Congress, an appeal shall always be examined by the Congress. The documents in the case then do not need to be sent out with the other Congress documents, but shall be available at the Congress.
• 4.5 Matters that have been appealed to the Congress shall be dealt with immediately after the matters specified in items 1–6 in § 11.5 have been dealt with. 
• 4.6 An expelled member who is to have their appeal examined by the Congress has the right to attend the Congress digitally and the right to speak when the expulsion case is handled. If the Congress confirms the decision of expulsion, the member shall immediately leave the meeting unless the Congress decides otherwise. 
• 4.7 Decisions on expulsion shall be justified. The decision shall apply for a fixed period, but never for more than ten years.

§ 5 Prohibition on Holding a Position of Trust

• 5.1 If a member abuses their position of trust, violates RFSL’s statutes, principles programme or Congress decisions, or in any other way exposes the organisation to damage or risk of damage, the National Board may decide to prohibit a member from holding any position of trust within RFSL. A branch board may request that the National Board consider prohibiting a member who is affiliated to the branch from holding a position of trust within RFSL. The National Board may also raise this question on its own initiative.
• 5.2 Before the National Board decides to prohibit a member from holding a position of trust within RFSL, the Board shall, if possible, consult the branch to which the member is affiliated. The member shall also be offered the opportunity to make a statement to the National Board. 
• 5.3 In order to prohibit a member from holding a position of trust within RFSL, at least two-thirds of all members of the National Board must support it. The decision shall be promptly communicated in writing to the member concerned and to the branch to which the member is affiliated. The decision may be appealed by the member concerned to the federation’s Congress no later than two months after the decision has been made. The appeal shall be sent to the National Board. If the decision is made later than two months before the Congress, an appeal shall always be examined by the Congress. The documents in the case then do not need to be sent out with the other Congress documents, but shall be available at the Congress.
• 5.4 Matters that have been appealed to the Congress shall be dealt with immediately after the matters specified in items 1–6 in § 11.5 have been dealt with.
• 5.5 The prohibition shall be justified. The decision shall apply for a fixed period, but never for more than ten years.

§ 6 Branches and RFSL Ungdom

• 6.1 For a branch within RFSL, RFSL’s Branch Statutes apply, which are decided by the Congress. Amendments to the Branch Statutes decided by the Congress apply after the branch confirms them.
• 6.2 An association can only be affiliated to the federation as a branch if the association adopts RFSL’s Branch Statutes.
• 6.3 The National Board decides on affiliation.
• 6.4 The National Board may expel a branch that violates RFSL’s statutes, principles programme or Congress decisions, exposes the organisation to damage or risk of damage, or in a significant way counteracts the federation’s purposes and objectives. The decision on expulsion is taken with a qualified majority of at least two-thirds of all members of the National Board after the members of the branch have been given the opportunity to make a statement. The decision may be appealed to the Congress.
• 6.5 The National Board may decide to dissolve a branch if it has fewer than three members and has not held a statutory annual meeting during the current and the previous year. The decision shall be taken after the branch’s members have been given the opportunity to make a statement. The branch’s members are given the opportunity to be affiliated to a neighbouring branch.
• 6.6 If there is suspicion of, or evidence for, a branch having seriously neglected its obligations in relation to statutes, principles programme, Congress decisions, funders or members, the National Board may take over the administration of the branch. The decision is taken after consultation with the federation’s auditors. The administration may only continue for a limited period until an annual meeting can be held.
• 6.7 If RFSL Ungdom adopts statutes or objectives that are in significant conflict with RFSL’s statutes or with RFSL’s current governance documents and objectives, or if RFSL Ungdom to a significant extent acts in breach of such agreement as has been established in accordance with § 2.6, the National Board may decide to suspend RFSL Ungdom from RFSL. Such a decision shall be taken with a qualified majority of at least two-thirds of all members of the National Board after RFSL Ungdom has been given the opportunity to make a statement. A decision on suspension means that RFSL shall no longer cooperate with RFSL Ungdom in the way described in § 2.6, and that RFSL Ungdom, from the date of the decision, no longer has the right to appoint Congress delegates under § 10.3 and does not have the right to appoint a member and a deputy to the National Board under § 13.2. The serving member and deputy shall, by virtue of the decision on suspension, be deemed to have been relieved from the National Board. The decision applies until the Congress decides otherwise.

§ 7 Branches’ External Activities

• 7.1 As a branch’s external activities are defined such associations, foundations or companies in which one or more of RFSL’s branches have direct or indirect controlling influence. Controlling influence means that one or more RFSL branches together own at least half of the shares or holdings in a company, constitute at least half of the members in an association or have the right to appoint at least half of the board members in a company, an association or a foundation. This also applies to other activities that use the name RFSL, legally or in external communication, and in which RFSL has influence.
• 7.2 To start or affiliate to such an external activity as referred to in § 7.1, permission from the National Board is required. 
• 7.3 If a branch’s external activity has seriously neglected its obligations in relation to statutes, principles programme, Congress decisions, funders or members, the National Board may take over the administration of the branch’s external activity. The decision is taken after consultation with the federation’s auditors. The administration may only continue for a limited period until an annual meeting or annual general meeting can be held in the affected branches and the affected activity. 

§ 8. Membership Fee

• 
  8.1 The Congress sets the membership fee that each member shall pay. A membership fee in RFSL must be paid from the year in which a person turns 26.
• 8.2 The Congress decides how the revenue from the membership fee shall be distributed.
• 8.3 The National Board may, for a limited time, grant a reduced membership fee.
  

§ 9. Finances 

• 9.1 The federation’s financial year is the calendar year.
• 9.2 The National Board decides on the annual budget and operational plan based on the goals and direction decided by the Congress.
• 9.3 The federation pays for travel to National Board meetings for all members of the National Board and its deputies.

§ 10. Congress 

• 10.1 The Congress is the federation’s highest decision-making body and consists of delegates from the branches and from the youth federation. The number of delegates a branch is entitled to appoint is determined by the number of members the branch had on 31 December of the year before the Congress, as set out below.
• 10.2 Each branch has the right to appoint two delegates. A branch with at least 200 members has the right to appoint an additional delegate for each commenced group of 200 members.
• 10.3 RFSL Ungdom has the right to appoint five delegates. A branch that has been admitted as a branch of the federation after 31 December has the right to appoint two delegates.
• 10.4 Every member of the federation has the right to attend, speak and make proposals at the Congress, as well as to submit motions to the ordinary Congress. Branches and RFSL Ungdom have the right to submit motions to RFSL’s ordinary Congress.
• 10.5 Each delegate has one vote. Secret ballot is applied in personal matters if any delegate requests it. Secret ballot is applied in other matters if one-third of the voting delegates vote in favour of it. Simple majority applies unless the statutes provide otherwise. In the event of a tie, the outcome shall be decided by drawing lots.

§ 11. Ordinary Congress

• 11.1 An ordinary Congress is held every second year (odd-numbered year), no earlier than in September and no later than in November.
• 11.2 The National Board issues the call to the ordinary Congress. The call must have reached all branches no later than seven months before the Congress.
• 11.3 Motions must have reached the federation no later than five months before the Congress.

   

• 11.4 The documents to be dealt with at the Congress must have reached the branches no later than four weeks before the Congress.
• 11.5 The following matters shall be dealt with at the Congress:

1. Opening of the Congress 
2. Adjustment of the list of delegates 
3. Election of meeting chairperson(s) and meeting secretary(ies)
4. Election of two adjusters (verifiers of the minutes) and two tellers
5. Question of whether the Congress has been duly convened
6. Adoption of the agenda
7. Decision on the deadline for nominations for all elections 
8. Election of Congress committees
9. Presentation of the federation’s activities and finances
10. Auditors’ reports
11. Question of discharge from liability for the National Board
12. Motions and proposals
13. RFSL’s goals and direction
14. Fees 
15. Membership fee 
16. Distribution of the revenue from the membership fee
17. Election of National Board
18. Determination of the number of other members and deputies
19. Election of Chair
20. Election of Vice Chair
21. Election of Treasurer
22. Election of other members
23. Election of deputies
24. Other elections
25. Election of auditors and deputy auditors
26. Election of Nominating Committee
27. Election of working groups
28. Closing of the Congress

• 11.6 A motion or proposal which has not reached all branches within the prescribed time before the Congress may only be dealt with if the Congress so decides with a two-thirds majority.

§ 12. Extraordinary Congress 

• 12.1 An extraordinary Congress shall be held to deal with specific matters following a decision of the Congress or the National Board, or after a written request by one of the federation’s auditors, at least one-third of the branches, or at least five percent of the federation’s members. The National Board shall issue the call to an extraordinary Congress as soon as possible after such a request has been received by the National Board. If this does not happen, the federation’s auditors shall convene the extraordinary Congress. An extraordinary Congress shall be held within eight weeks after it has been requested.
• 12.2 At an extraordinary Congress, only matters specified by the Congress or the National Board, or in the request for the Congress, may be dealt with.

   

• 12.3 Documents relating to the matters to be dealt with shall be sent to the branches no later than three weeks before the Congress.

§ 13. National Board 

• 13.1 The National Board is elected by the Congress and, next to the Congress, is the federation’s highest decision-making body.
• 13.2 The National Board shall consist of at least nine and at most thirteen members, of whom the Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer are elected separately. RFSL Ungdom appoints one member and one deputy member to the National Board. In addition, the Congress elects an appropriate number of deputies. The deputies assume duties in the order decided by the Congress.
• 13.3 The term of office for the members of the National Board elected by the Congress is until the next ordinary Congress. The term of office for the member and the deputy appointed by RFSL Ungdom is determined by RFSL Ungdom.
• 13.4 The National Board shall hold at least four minuted meetings per year.
  A meeting of the National Board shall be held if the Chair, at least three members, or the federation’s auditors so request. 
• 13.5 All members of the federation have the right to attend, speak and make proposals at National Board meetings. Only members of the National Board or serving deputies have the right to vote. The member or deputy appointed by RFSL Ungdom has the right to vote when serving as a member of the National Board. Secret ballot is applied only in elections of persons. In voting, simple majority applies. In the event of a tie, the vote of the meeting chair is decisive, except in elections of persons where the decision is made by drawing lots.
• 13.6 The National Board may decide that certain matters concerning personal issues, staff issues, and company and foundation matters shall be confidential. The agenda item is then not open to anyone other than board members, deputies, and specially invited presenters.
• 13.7 The National Board has a quorum if at least half of the members or their serving deputies are present. A list of matters to be dealt with should have been communicated to all members and deputies one week before the meeting. A matter that has not been communicated one week before the meeting may be taken up on the agenda if the National Board so permits by decision taken with simple majority.
• 13.8 A person who is employed by the federation, who is a member of the Nominating Committee, or who is an auditor of the federation cannot be elected to the National Board.

§ 14 Nominating Committee 

• 14.1 The Nominating Committee is elected by the Congress and shall consist of five to eight members, one of whom is the convenor.
• 14.2 The work of the Nominating Committee shall be governed by rules of procedure adopted by the Congress.
  
  § 14.3 The election of the Nominating Committee is prepared by an Elections Committee (valutskott) elected by the Congress.

   

• 14.4 The Nominating Committee is responsible for, before the Congress, collecting pre-nominations for a new Nominating Committee and handing these over to the Elections Committee.

§ 15. Audit 

• 15.1 The federation’s accounts and administration shall be examined by at least three auditors appointed by the Congress, one of whom shall be an authorised (certified) public accountant. The Congress may appoint either a natural person or a legal person as authorised public accountant; the legal person then provides an authorised public accountant. The Congress shall at the same time appoint at least one deputy for the auditors. If the Congress appoints a natural person as authorised public accountant, at least one deputy shall also be appointed for that person.
• 15.2 If the Congress appoints a legal person to provide an authorised public accountant, the auditor proposed by the legal person shall be approved by the other auditors appointed by the Congress.
• 15.3 The audit shall be carried out in accordance with the auditors’ rules of procedure and good auditing practice. The auditors shall submit a report on their work to the ordinary Congress.
• 15.4 The federation’s auditors, whether they are natural or legal persons, may be appointed for a maximum of five terms of office.

§ 16. Amendment of the Statutes 

• 16.1 These statutes can only be amended by identical decisions at two consecutive Congresses, of which one must be an ordinary Congress. Amendments to §§ 2–15 may also be made by a decision at one Congress if at least two-thirds of the voting delegates and more than half of the delegates listed in the list of delegates vote in favour of it.

§ 17. Dissolution of the Federation

• 17.1 The National Federation can be dissolved only by identical decisions at two consecutive ordinary Congresses and only if the Congress so decides with at least three-quarters of the delegates listed in the list of delegates.
• 17.2 If the federation is dissolved, the remaining assets shall be transferred to activities with a similar purpose.
• 17.3 After dissolution, the federation’s documents shall be transferred to the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet).
• 17.4 After dissolution, the federation’s media holdings shall be transferred to the National Library of Sweden (Kungliga Biblioteket).