Helvi Juvonen
(November 5, 1919 - October 1, 1959) Finland
Poet
Born at Iisalmi, lesbian liric poet who earned her living variously as a teacher, bank clerk, and translator. Living in Helsinki where she gathered a literary circle of like-minded friends including the lesbian poet Mirkka Elina Rekola, Juvonen wrote poetry that was inspired both by religious mysticism and by a particular attitude to the nature of universe.
Although known to be lesbian, her sexual identity had to remain hidden since homosexual acts, whether between men or women, were illegal in Finland until 1971. She died in Helsinki.
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