Pride and solidarity

At noon Friday, the rainbow flag was hoist in front of the City Hall in Oslo, marking the opening of Oslo Pride. At the same time, the peace dove was released from the windows of the Nobel Peace Center with the good news of the week. The fact that Oslo Pride can be arranged this year, in spite of the pandemic, is good news. And Inge Gjestvang, chair of the organization FRI, encourage people to participate in the celebrations, either digitally of physically: 

“We are hoping that people will take part in parades and campaigns, either out in the streets or from home, and share knowledge and awareness of LGBT rights internationally.”

Rights on return

It is a fact that LGBT rights are on return in many countries. In Hungary, a new law was passed this week, banning education in schools concerning sexual minorities. In Poland, many communities are declared “LGBT-free zones” and in Turkeys capital Ankara, Pride events are illegal.

Together with this year’s Pride festival in Oslo, the organization Fri, Amnesty International, Oslo Pride and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee are launching the campaign #Europe4All; a solidarity campaign for LGBT rights in Poland, Turkey and Russia.

“We want to give a message to these countries, telling them that the world is following what’s going on and that we support our allies in their fight for a Europe with room for everybody, Gjestvang said.

Celebrating joy of life

The Peace Dove was released from the Nobel Peace Center Friday assisted by Tor Kjetil Edland from Pride House. He is looking forward to celebrate Pride after a long period of lockdown in Oslo:

“Creating a community where we can fight racism, homophobia and transphobia, and celbrate joy of life, is an important goal for Oslo Pride”