Tanja von Knorring is a Finnish businesswoman and transgender and human rights activist with an extensive background in the aviation and transport industries. After building a successful professional career, she came out as a transgender woman in 2017, having known from childhood that she was a woman. Her experiences of living for decades according to society’s expectations have helped shape her commitment to making life easier for other transgender people. Von Knorring has become a prominent voice in Finnish and international transgender advocacy. She co-chaired the 2019–2020 Board of Transgender Europe (TGEU), a European and Central Asian network of transgender organisations, and helped establish Transfeminiinit ry, Transfeminines of Finland, where she has served as chairperson and executive director. The organisation works to improve the visibility, rights and wellbeing of transgender women, while also providing peer support and opportunities for community building.
In Tampere, she helped develop Swedish-language activities for LGBTQ+ people, addressing the needs of a linguistic minority within an already marginalised community. Her activism also extends to public policy. She served on the monitoring group for Finland’s reform of its transgender legislation, advocating for the right to legal gender recognition without unnecessary medical requirements. In 2019, she stood as a parliamentary candidate for the Swedish People's Party of Finland, with transgender rights, transport and urban planning, and elderly care among her principal concerns. She has also been involved with SETA, Finland’s national LGBTI rights organisation, and Trasek, which advocates for transgender and intersex people. Through her public speaking, educational work and participation in Pride events, von Knorring continues to challenge discrimination and promote greater understanding of transgender people and their rights.
