“If adultery takes place between persons of the male sex, those who are guilty of it or who participate in it are punished with imprisonment for up to 1 year,” read the disputed section 213.
Norway was among the very last countries in Western Europe to abolish the law banning sex between men, after a long process in which both tightening and abolition of the law were discussed.
Until 1972, Norwegian men could be prosecuted and prosecuted in the same way as they were if they had sex with animals – given that the prosecution believed it was necessary on the basis of “public interest”.
In Denmark, a similar law was repealed as early as 1932.
– First victory
The Association for Gender and Sexuality Diversity, FRI, was in its time the most markedly organized voice in the fight against the homosexuality clause. At that time they were called the Norwegian Association of 1948, abbreviated DNF-48.
Few dared to come forward with names and faces before the law was abolished, but one of the most important voices was former DNF-48 chairman Kim Friele.
– The abolition of the law was the first major victory in the gay struggle in Norway, which ensured the possibility of a completely different openness for gays and lesbians. At the same time, it paved the way for the matches that took place afterwards, says FRI leader Inge Alexander Gjestvang to NTB.
Only five years later was homosexuality abolished as a disease diagnosis by the Norwegian Psychiatric Association, and only in 1982 was homosexuality removed as a disease diagnosis by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Later, there was also discrimination against homosexuals, the Partnership Act and the Common Marriage Act.
– The repeal of the law did not improve overnight. When it has been criminal and so much shame and stigma associated with being gay, it takes time for society to change and get to where we are today. But it was a door opener for 50 years with an open gay fight and several victories, says Gjestvang.
The Minister of Culture speaks
2022 is called Skeivt Kulturår, and the National Library marks the 50th anniversary of the repeal of the law with a packed program. Skeivt Archive and the National Museum are also co-organizers.
During “Criminal love – the fight against section 213”, among others, Minister of Culture Anette Trettebergstuen will give a speech, and there will also be a deep dive into history both with lectures on the prohibition of sex between people of the same sex until the end of the 19th century, and on section 213.
FRI has also invited to a separate celebration at Eidsvolls plass in Oslo from 5 pm on 21 April. There will be appeals from several queer organizations, from former professor Halvor Moxnes at the Faculty of Theology at UiO, President of the Storting Masud Gharakani and leader Christian Lomsdalen in the Humanities Association.
– In addition, we have county teams all over the country that hold events in Bergen, Stavanger, Kristiansand and Trondheim, to name a few places, says Gjestvang.
Several matches remain
Although many battles have been won during the 50 years that have passed since the abolition of section 213, Gjestvang believes there are still some battles left.
Among other things, he highlights the differential treatment of gay and heterosexual blood donors, as well as so-called conversion therapy, which is still not banned.
– In addition, a third legal gender category is an important issue, and the same applies to treatment options for transgender people and those with congenital atrophy, says Gjestvang.
– Recent quality of life and living conditions surveys show that some groups still perform much worse than others. Bisexuals and transgender people have major living conditions challenges, including how vulnerable they are to sexual abuse. Even if the arrow goes in the right direction, there are many within the queer family who have fights left, says the FRI leader.
(©NTB)
–
