On why Norway doesn't participate in IDAHO : LLH

It just so happens that the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia coincides with Norway’s constitutional day, or as we call it, our ’national day’. And we celebrate it like no other country we know.

For instance by arranging parades, not just in Norway but all over the world. Norwegians who live in Kampala, New York, Stockholm, Kuala Lumpur or Buenos Aires, will get together, don their best outfits (national costume if they’ve bothered to bring it abroad), walk in a parade with our flag held high, sing the national song, drink champagne for breakfast, and eat hot dogs, ice cream and cake throughout the day.

We know, it sounds like a gigantic pride event. In a way it is, but it’s for Norway. 

And this is the reason why Norway, and why LLH, has never participated in the International Day Against Homophobia, and for the foreseeable future never will. May 17th is an impenetrable day for any other message than hooray Norway, in Norway.

Our lack of participation now explained, LLH would like to state our deeply felt solidary with lgbt-people all over the world, who use this day to campaign for a better world. We are proud to be part of a worldwide movement spearheading development in human rights for all.

A movement which despite setbacks, lack of resources, abuse, torture and death-threats continues to fight for our rights. And continues to attract more activists to our work, gaining ground even as we seem to lose some, and continue to stand together, exemplifying people-power at its best.

So hooray for us! And for all of you out there campaigning on IDAHO-day. We join you before and after.

Bård Nylund,
President of the Norwegian LGBT Association

On this occasion dressed in his Norwegian folk-costume from Aust-Agder (south of Norway), which he will be wearing on May 17th .