For many, June has become a single long celebration of queer love, freedom and diversity. This year it is 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalized in Norway. It is a crooked cultural year, and news is investing in a historical pride broadcast. In Oslo, they run a ten-day festival, and across the country, larger and smaller pride festivals appear on every headland. But not in Bodø – until now. Took the case into their own hands Here Luca Karlsen Ramskjell (16) had to take the case into her own hands. – It’s weird. It is expected that Bodø as a big city would achieve something like this. At the same time, pride festivals appear as toadstools in much smaller places in Nordland, such as in Velfjord, Korgen, Mosjøen, Nesna, Sandnessjøen. – Now we have the opportunity to lift it again, says Luca. On Monday 20 June, there will be a parade through Bodø city center. In addition to musical elements and appeals in Folkets Hus. The event is a family-friendly celebration against homophobia, and a celebration of diversity and love. Skeiv Ungdom Bodø: – Did not have capacity Adriane Bernhoff (22) is the leader of Skeiv Ungdom Bodø. She is very happy that Luca and the gang have taken the initiative for this year’s pride. Bernhoff says that there are only four of them on the board, they all work, and that they would rather prioritize traveling around other pride celebrations this year instead of arranging their own festival. – But would you not be able to recruit more members and be even more visible by actually arranging pride in Bodø? – Yes, we probably could. But it is a vicious circle; to arrange something fun, you need people, but then you have to do something that is fun and big to get new members. Adriane Kathrine Bernhoff is the leader of Skeiv Ungdom Bodø. She hopes they will soon start their own board for Bodø Pride again. Photo: private – Would it have been pride without Luca? – Probably not. We are very grateful for the commitment. Skeiv Ungdom Bodø helps Luca and the gang to carry out pride. The pandemic cracked down on much of the volunteering, which they are now working hard to get back on track. – I feel there are many queer people in Bodø, but they do not necessarily organize within queer political organizations, Bernhoff says. Hoping for more commitment until 2024 In two years, Bodø will be the European Capital of Culture. Helge Grønmo, Head of Communications and Marketing at Bodø2024, encourages the queer environment in Bodø to contact them so that they can contribute to facilitating this year’s pride, next and not least in 2024. – We want the initiative to come from the organizations themselves . We rather facilitate cultural events, rather than being behind them ourselves, he says. – It is not entirely natural for us to arrange pride two years before we are actually the capital of culture. But we will have a more active role in two years. Helge Grønmo in Bodø2024 encourages the queer environment to get in touch. Photo: Bodø2024 – What do you think people think about the fact that a (soon) European Capital of Culture was dependent on a private initiative from a 16-year-old to bring about pride? – I wish there was a larger environment in Bodø. At the same time, it is fantastic, because it shows that a 16-year-old has the competence and commitment to get started. He is sure that they will increase their commitment towards 2024. – I hope we can build on what is being done this year. If we can help with something, of course we do. Pride Photo: VILDE ELGAAEN A movement that started in New York in 1969. Pride is today celebrated all over the world. In Norway, Fri, the association for gender and sexual diversity, organizes Pride festivals across the country. Norwegian Pride celebrations are arranged at different times between June and November. Source: Fri Luca Karlsen Ramskjell is still happy that they have started pride this year. – What do you think about the initiative not coming from an established organization? – I wish there were some “adults” who started it. But at the same time, it’s good to see that we care. – Is this your call for the queer environment to become more active? – Yes absolutely. Get your hands dirty. It is still very important. Luca with the gang from the dance and music line at Bodø high school. which (in collaboration with Skeiv Ungdom) arranges pride in Bodø. Vivian Emily Hoff, Maja Holstad Ovesen and Herman Bolte-Olsen, all 16 years old. Photo: Kasper Holgersen / news news has been in contact with the queer organization FRI, which did not have the opportunity to be interviewed. news has not succeeded in getting comments from Skeiv Ungdom centrally. For information: Luca Karlsen Ramskjell is the child of an employee of news Nordland. He has not been involved in the case. This year, thousands of people will once again dance their way through the streets with rainbow flags and glitter across the country. But Pride has not always been a folk festival. The story of how the parades came to be brings us to a dark alley in New York and a mafia-run bar. Bygdepride Bygdepride was for the first time arranged in Volda and Ørsta on Sunnmøre in May 2018. There are no exact numbers of choirs many who attended, but there should be at least 2000 in the parade and around 5000 at the event. Two ministers were at the forefront of the parade: Trine Skei Grande (Left) and Jon Georg Dale (Frp). Bygdepride received extra attention after Pastor Hans Reite’s many posts about his opposition to the event. In May this year, Bygdepride will be arranged for the second time. The success of Bygdepride has meant that a number of smaller cities are also trying out similar events this year. In between, Pride will be arranged in Sogn og Fjordane.
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Capital of Culture without pride – Luca (16) took matters into her own hands – news Nordland
