The visibility of female couples in wartime archival and oral history materials is almost nonexistent. Relationships between women did exist, but the taboo associated with lesbianism was so strong until the late 1960s that these experiences were rarely documented. Any potential photographs, letters, and diaries were often destroyed by the women themselves or by their relatives. Lesbianism was largely erased from public consciousness, despite the fact that it existed just as much as relationships between men. Sexual relationships between women were criminalized in Finland as early as the late 19th century, which was relatively rare in Europe at that time.

During the war, conditions in which women formed close friendships also provided good opportunities to develop romantic relationships and keep them hidden. A lotta (member of the Lotta Svärd, women’s voluntary organisation in Finland that supported national defence) interviewed by researcher Kati Mustola remarked, “It’s not visible, as one person said to me: what worries do you have, you can even go to the same bathroom together.”

One of the few contemporary descriptions can be found in the autobiography of theater director Vivica Bandler, where she recalls her time as a lotta. Another lotta had developed a crush on her and suggested that they share a bed together with her husband. The erotic nature of the proposal left a lasting impression on Bandler as a significant part of her wartime history, even though she did not accept the offer.

Breaking Gender Boundaries

The war also provided unexpected opportunities for breaking gender roles: for example, on the home front, women who took on traditional men’s jobs gained the “right” to wear pants as part of their new responsibilities. Before the war, women might have worn pants only for activities like skiing.

The division of labor between genders and the associated social value of work was disrupted by the war. It became admirable for women to take on men’s work. Before the war, women in rural areas who were comfortable doing men’s work or wearing pants had been viewed with suspicion. However, criticism was harsher for men: if a man did women’s work, such as caring for livestock or engaging in women’s crafts, he was almost invariably ridiculed. This was also evident during the war, as men working behind the front lines, responsible for tasks like food transport, were derisively called “male lottas.”