Secret meeting in the 60s gave her a threat to life – Special

This is the story of growing up as a gay man in Norway. Told by two different people. From two different generations. Gerd Brantenberg is 80 years old. Nils Bech is 41 years old. They have probably seen the “ugly on the back” – not in themselves, but in all those who let prejudice creep under their skin. “Homosexuals must be considered sick” Gerd Brantenberg is well-articulated and quick in his reply. She is just as one imagines a pioneer woman to be. Brantenberg is today a grown woman, but as a young woman she stood in the breeze, together with, among others, Kim Friele so that gays would get the same rights as heterosexuals. This was at a time when being gay was subject to an enormous secrecy. Where sexual intercourse between men was forbidden. Where gays were counted as sick, and equated with sadists. Excerpt from the book “Reproduction theory for use in high school” by Trygve Stabrun. The book was published in 1948. Photo: Faksimimile Abnormitetar was the word in the textbooks. Porn magazines were the revelation A few years later, more specifically in the 80’s, Nils Bech grew up. It was no longer criminal to have sex between two men, but the attitudes from Gerd’s time would prove to last a long time. As a feminine boy, he challenged – already in kindergarten – the norms of society. Bullying was a big part of every day at the primary and lower secondary school. – The children used gay and “femi” as insults. Even before I knew I was gay. When he found a porn magazine as a 14-year-old, he realized it. He liked guys. – Then I thought it was a whole crisis. And then I did everything I could to fall in love with girls. He would later become the first Norwegian artist to sing about “he”. But he was going to be a prince for many years in shame. Much is different, but some are also similar between him and Gerd Brantenberg Artist Nils Bech reflects on his youth. Photo: Oda Elise Svelstad / news Where were the gays? As a recent student at Blindern, she felt alone. Because there were other gays, and where were they? – We had to hide our orientation from our fellow students. One could be forced into a deep loneliness and shame to the extent that it was mentioned, she said. “Isn’t she a little like that?” with press like that. This is how Brantenberg describes the way people talked about gays. Mysterious addresses It was a closing date when she saw an interview book with a number of anonymous gays, written by Finn Carling. To find out how she could get in touch with them, she wrote a letter to Carling. She received the answer that she had to send a letter to postbox 1305 in Vika in Oslo. This was the address of the Association of 1948, Norway’s first gay organization. But to meet these young gays, she had to know someone who could recommend her. – It was a self-contradiction. Because I did not know anyone. The plan was therefore that I should meet someone on the board first, so that they could get an impression. Gerd Brantenberg is a writer, gay activist and women’s rights activist Photo: Oda Elise Svelstad / news Secret meeting with Kim Friele Ho and a friend was told to show up at Kafé Møllhausen in Oslo – at a certain time on a Friday with a Dagbladet under her arm. There they met two ladies. Two ordinary office ladies, but with a completely unusual agenda. – It was very exciting, Brantenberg said today. The two ladies were to turn out to be Kim Friele and Else Askeland. – We had a chat. They got an impression of us. In three weeks we could come to one of the meetings that the Association arranged. Ladies in men’s clothing After carefully following the directions, Gerd Brantenberg finally came to the premises of the Association – namely Ormsund Roklub. That was where they gathered. – It was a great relief to get there. People from all walks of life met here, and it was very enriching, Brantenberg states. Here there were ladies in men’s clothing, there were ladies in women’s clothing and there were men in ties and suits. – Most of them were older than me and I learned a lot. One got a life of one’s own, and a very strong identity. It was absolutely priceless. Gerd Brantenberg (right) is currently in love with Swedish Ann Jacobsen. The first gay action Two years later, she was to be behind the first gay action on Blindern. It all started when a pretty, nice man came over to her at the Club (Ormsund Rowing Club). His name was Anders, and he had a theory that there must be more gays on Blindern. “There must be at least 500 of us,” he told Gerd. They decided to do something about it. In Kim Friele’s office, they printed pink leaflets. “To the gay student” was written on the notes, with an invitation to turn to the Association’s postal address. But first they applied for an audience with university director Trovik. He had no idea why they came. – We said that it was important for students to have a safe place to be. He was surprised, I think this was ahead of him. But he nodded, and according to Brantenberg said: “If they think this is an important matter, I will give the green light to it” See the flyer below: The flyer that Gerd Brantenberg and his friend Anders got printed in Kim Friele’s office. Photo: SKA / A-0033 Dandelion / Skeivt archive – It was pure crime The operation was carried out in the evening. Gerd hid in a raincoat, even though it was not raining. Anders looked like Sherlock Holmes himself in a coat and cap. – We had large piles of running shoes under our coats, and then we slang the pink patches where we saw the possibility of it. – We were like two shadows that slip past us. It was pure crime, Brantenberg chuckles. The campaign was a success. They are closing in on getting more students involved. In addition, they were contacted by Dagbladet who wanted to make publicity for what they had done. – It was avant-garde to write about us at this time. – When we came to the next club meeting, they were so moved and grateful that we had the courage to go to Dagbladet. We did not come forward with a full name, but still they were very proud of us. Brantenberg said that the members of the Association were especially happy that Gerd and Anders had joined Dagbladet’s editorial staff and said that they were gay, and on the other hand said something sensible afterwards. – Gays were usually portrayed as lunatics. As idiots. Now we were greeted with cheers. Bech: – My whole life broke Nils Bech was a youth only a decade after the gay section was repealed. But growing up in the shadow of the law has been anything but cheers. Nils Bech is a record of talking about conversion therapy as the government wants to ban conversion therapy. Photo: Oda Elise Svelstad / news – Removing a penalty framework where sex between men was equated with having sex with animals, does something with the ethical, but also the empathic compass of people, says Bech. No matter where he turned, being queer was associated with something negative. When he, as a 19-year-old, was to tell his best friend that he liked boys, he almost fainted. The pain that took root inside him could end if he let himself be healed by prayer. At least that was what he was told. He said yes. That should characterize him to this day. – It was as if my whole heart was cracking. And I’ve spent my whole adult life rebuilding it. – Great rejection Over 20 years have passed, but the incident is still in him. Bech describes it as if it was something that was destroyed in him. – Until this year, I have been ashamed that I was not strong enough to say no to it, he said. At the same time as this was happening, he stood up for his parents. It took 10 years before he dared to come home with his girlfriend. – I experienced it as a great rejection that I can feel has an effect on me yet. – In love relationships, I spend a lot of time being safe. I have to actively work on self-worth. Contributed to the turning point Much of this he has shared in his songs. Many people think how his performance in the series “Shame” made Isak seek out Even. The rest is history: Even and Isak find the strength to be together It was a turning point in Norwegian TV and film. Until then, there were very few Norwegian series or films that showed gay love. There has also been a lack of representation in music. Nils Bech has – again – broken norms. The song “I love him” is most likely the first Norwegian language song which is clearly a love song for a man. – Never seen a gay love story A few months ago, he and rap artist EMIR released the single “Give me time”. It is the first time that a heterosexual boy has played a role in a homosexual love story. This autumn, Bech will release an album consisting of duets between men. He is probably the first artist in Europe, and perhaps also in the world, to do just that. – I want people to be able to turn on the radio and then there is a love song where it is clear that two men sing to each other, he says. Nils Bech thinks he has the benefit of seeing skewed representations in the culture. It’s about conveying queer stories, and getting them spread out. – I’ve seen a lot of theater, but I rarely see gay characters. I’ve seen a lot of contemporary dance, but I’ve never seen a gay love story in dance. – And until I myself launched my duet project, I had never heard a song about gay love on the radio, Bech adds. Nils Bech and artist EMIR in connection with the song «Give me time». Photo: Desiree Mattsson Greater acceptance Gerd Brantenberg has also had that attitude. She, too, was to be a pioneer in culture. For the year after the gay section was repealed, Brantenberg was to represent something completely new in the present. 32 years old, and with her debut novel “Up all the gays in the world”, she was the first openly gay author to write about gay life and reality. According to Nils Bech, there is greater acceptance of queer cultural expressions today than before. He highlights Lil Nas X, and not least Norwegian Ramon who dares to sing about his love affairs with guys. – It is sad, but true that there is a reason why it did not happen 10-20 years ago. Nils Bech at Øyafestivalen. Ramon is one of the few male artists who sings about “he”. The American rapper is one of the few rappers who is openly queer. Gay bar and resistance Both Nils Bech and Gerd Brantenberg found themselves in the queer environment. For Nils Bech, it was easier to get in touch with people than Brantenberg – even if he had to go “via-via”. – It was extremely important to me. And incredibly nice to have someone to relate to, and who came up with advice, says Bech. One visible difference is still the gay bars that were not found when Gerd was young, but which Nils and other young queers today can meet and have fun at. – I usually say that I only go to two bars, and that is London and Bar Robinet. I love the basement of London. There you get the whole genre of queer in one place, he says cheerfully. Gerd Brantenberg reminds us that we must work to ensure that everyone is well. Photo: Oda Elise Svelstad / news Brantenberg believes that the big difference in growing up as a young gay man as opposed to now is first and foremost silence. – But it is very important to emphasize that many of the prejudices and opposition may in part be the same today as then. It depends on the environment one is in. – Despite the fact that it has been 50 years, there is a lot of uncertainty and resistance. You can watch Gerd Brantenberg and Nils Bech in the program «Leglig skeivt» on news 1 and news TV on Thursday at 19.45. Leglig Skeivt This year it is 50 years since the decriminalization of homosexuality in this country. We will recognize and celebrate the diversity of gender and sexuality in Oslo and Norway. “Legally queer” is visited by great guests who offer personal stories about queer lives, and several of Norway’s foremost artists and performers participate. Noman Mubashir is the host. Artists: The Bassoon Choir with Bjarte Hjelmeland Beharie Nils Bech Frida Ånnevik Guro Sibeko Guests: Gerd Brantenberg Jonas Gahr Støre Terje Schrøder on the Great Garlic girls 40th anniversary Lise Klaveness on homophobia in football Raymond Johansen and Inger Kristin Haugsevje on Oslo Pride – and pride in general held an appeal



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