– It is absolutely fantastic that there are so many people here. I had hoped for that, but I feared that there were fewer, yes. That’s what Anniken Fernås Gjevre says, who walked with her daughter in the pride parade in Fagernes in Valdres on Saturday. The small valley has received a lot of attention after the gay couple received hate letters in the post last week. Gjevre believes it was important to stand up to show that not everyone shares these attitudes. And so did many others. Several hundred colorful people took to the streets to show their support – in the rural town of just under 2,000 inhabitants. CHILDREN OF THE RAINBOW: Anniken Fernås Gjevre walked in the parade to show her support for queers in the local community. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news – It’s so big Karoline and Tina Granum, the married couple who received the hate letter, are overwhelmed. The two walked together in the parade in Fagernes, each with their own rainbow flag. – It is completely unreal. I do not understand anything. I don’t think I have fully understood how big this really is, says Tina. His wife Karoline is also touched that so many people have chosen to stand in what is the region’s first pride parade. – It is completely incredible. There are so many nice people and appeals. We have to work really hard on ourselves to hold back the tears. It’s so big. But this is not a day that is just about us, it is about everyone in Valdres and throughout Norway, she says. The couple hope they contributed to so many taking part in the commemoration. They are glad they shared the story of the letter. Will not take gays by the hand Ragnhild Lund is a leader in Valdre’s pride. She went with the married couple in Saturday’s pride parade, and is happy that so many people turned up. But even though the number of attendees exceeded all expectations, Lund believes many people in Valdres need a change of attitude. – It is simply difficult to come across as queer in Valdres today. Some simply do not want to greet us. We have been to schools and talked to children, and then many will not shake our hands because we are gay. It hurts. GOING TOGETHER: Ragnhild Lund (tv) believes the attitudes of many in Valdres must change. Here with the married couple Granum in the parade in the center of Fagernes. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news Lund wonders where these attitudes come from. – Where does that responsibility lie, who makes children think that they don’t want to hold a homosexual by the hand? Lund often hears people from the village say “don’t make so much noise”, when they talk about pride. She thinks this is a sin. – It is sad that we hear that time and time again. I hear it every day several times a day. “Don’t make so much noise”. But when you don’t feel well, you go to those closest to you. You are constantly trying to get comfort, and I think that is why we need pride now, she says. HOPE FOR CHANGE: – We go together with those closest to us who support us because we need that security now, says Ragnhild Lund, leader of Valdre’s pride. Photo: ValdresPodden Not accepted in the local community Mayor Knut Arne Fjelltun in Nord-Aurdal municipality said in his appeal during the commemoration that all residents have a responsibility to overcome hateful attitudes towards queers. – This is not how we want it in our local community. No one should feel harassed. We all have to take responsibility for promoting good attitudes – both at home at the kitchen table and in public spaces, he said. – What do you think of today’s attendance? – That is impressive. Amazing. Very good. SHOWING HIS SUPPORT: Mayor Knut Arne Fjelltun (tv) went first in the parade together with other Valdres mayors. – Imagine being able to color the rural town in the colors of the rainbow, and stand up for the right to be who you are, he says. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news The parade was led by cars in all the colors of the rainbow. Mette Røe Halstensen drove a blue car in the parade. – It’s nice that people from the village are involved in something like this, at least now. It is important that we in the village stand up and show support, she says. Birk Nystad and Philipp Bartnik were also surprised when they saw the large turnout in Fagernes. – It is absolutely beautiful. I love it. It’s like May 17 when I was little. A great plan. It is so much fun to be here, said Nystad. – I thought it would be a thin train, but then a lot of people arrive, adds Bartnik. CELEBRATING TOGETHER: Birk Nystad and Philipp Bartnik were surprised when they arrived in the city centre. The turnout was bigger than they had imagined. Together they go to Valdres Folkehøgskole. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen / news
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Karoline and Tina Granum are overwhelmed – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
