Canadas ambassade i Oslo sto også i år i spissen for "Diplomater i Oslo støtter Oslo Pride". For en flott hagefest! Happy Pride! #OsloPrideInt Skulle du ha lyst til å lese talen min, er den her; I’m deeply honoured to have the opportunity to share this important evening with you again, and to take part in what has become a wonderful tradition. For me, June is not only a month I associate with warm summer nights; more and more, it’s a month I associate with diversity and pluralism. This year is an extraordinary landmark. The 50th anniversary of Pride as a movement! I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate you all on what you’ve achieved. Stemming from a riot in the alleys of New York in June 1969, gay rights organizations, and eventually Pride, have grown into an energetic and forceful worldwide movement. A movement where people have been able to find the necessary support, refuge and strength to fight for their basic rights as human beings. There is no doubt that it took real strength to fight not only the prejudice, but also the outright discrimination and violence that the LGBTI community suffered. To many of us it seems almost incomprehensible today that people were harassed and discriminated against on an everyday basis. Just for being themselves. And that in many cases this discrimination was institutionalized. 50 years on, the situation has improved. Thankfully, the stigma associated with being lesbian, gay, bisexual, Trans or intersex is not what it was in large parts of the world. Many countries now recognise that everyone is entitled to equal rights; regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Pride is a worldwide celebration, combining colourful and vibrant parades with conferences, seminars, art and culture. I know that this year’s Pride festivals in Norway will focus on the history of the movement and the people of the LGBTI community. The goal is to pay tribute to those involved, the battles fought and the victories won since 1969. The stories of the early LGBTI activists can be heart breaking. Those who chose to be open about their sexual orientation and identity often did so at great personal cost. Yet I hope we can agree that many of the stories, though tough, are also inspiring! A case in point is the story about one of Norway’s most high-profile gay activists, Ms Wenche Lowzow. Ms Lowzow was the Conservative head teacher and politician who, in 1979, became Norway’s first openly gay Member of Parliament. Sadly, her openness resulted in marginalisation and she was not re-nominated in the 1985 election. Yet her brave stance paved the way for others. I’ve no doubt it was of vital importance to the gay rights movement in Norway that a member of the national assembly came forward in the way Ms Lowzow did. Up until her passing away in 2016, she and her partner Ms Kim Friele, another well-known gay rights activist, continued the fight against discrimination of LGTBI people. Their story has been a source of great knowledge and inspiration to many. It’s individuals like them along with supporters outside the community itself, who have helped moved attitudes and societies forward. Despite the steps that have been made, Pride is still a movement people look to for support and strength. Because as much as we would like discrimination and prejudice to be a thing of the past, we must acknowledge that there’s still plenty of work to be done. That too many people, regardless of where they were born, still find it difficult, sometimes impossible to live the life they want. It’s easy to be discouraged when faced with stories of discrimination and violence on the grounds of sexual orientation. But I find encouragement in the fact that more and more people choose to speak out on their behalf. I’d like to close by thanking the diplomatic community in Oslo, and the Canadian ambassador especially, for hosting us. We mustn’t underplay the value of initiatives like this. Where you as diplomats can use your unique platform to encourage people from all walks of life to further advance equality. Thank you.

2019-06-13 20:25:36

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Bilete frå innlegget til Stortingspresident Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen