Prime Mininster Erna Solberg received a warm welcome from the Oslo pride participants, who clearly was grateful for the historical political support the festival has received this year.
– I stand here as a conservative lady from Right, because that’s what I am, Solberg began.
Here we celebrate ourselves for whatever we are, she added.
She stressed that Oslo Pride celebrates freedom, diversity, love and that all the colors of the rainbow leave their mark on the capital.
Solberg reminded the audience that living together with the one you want in Norway hasn’t always enjoyed the broad support that it does these days.
– In April, the synod agreed to allow same-sex marriage in the church – after 20 years of discussion and controversy. In a few weeks, another milestone.
Starting 1 July 2016 you will be able to decide for yourself the gender status you are to have in the National Register, Solberg said to an audience that clearly was in high spirits on the sunny evening.
Special year
Head of Oslo Pride, Lars Arnesen, began by saying that this year is very special for Oslo Pride. Not only because of the shadows from the Orlando tragedy, but also because for the first time they have the support of all the political parties.
– It has never happened before that all political parties are participating, he said to cheers from a packed Spikersuppa in the heart of Oslo.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
