After the mass shooting in Oslo this summer, Frida Marie Grande, known as Fridategner, sold a picture of the king in front of a rainbow. Two people were killed in the shooting, and the entire profit from the sale goes to Oslo Pride, as a tribute to the relatives, a cry for unity, and to support the organization of a new parade. Local manager at the Education Association in Stord, Tor Jæger Koppang, decided to send the photo to all the schools in the local area. – The act of terrorism was a terrifying experience for everyone. When we saw the picture that Frida had made, we thought that this must be spread here too. This way, young people in our local community and in our schools can learn that you can love whoever you want, says Koppang. Most schools accepted the gift and gave good feedback on the initiative. The exception was Stord Kristne Skole, which politely declined the photo. Frida Marie Grande reacts to the refusal, and not least to the school’s reasons. – They say, for example, that it is a human right to say no to gifts, but it is not about the gift. It is the message that is important, and the fact that they will not stand behind it, says the cartoonist. EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: Leader of the local team Tor Jæger Koppang believes the picture has a good message. Photo: Private – To love is a human right It was the local newspaper Sunnhordland that first mentioned the case. The headmaster at the school, Ole Henry Halleraker, tells the newspaper that they refused the gift because it is the school owner who decides the decoration in the school building. They rarely accept external decoration, and moreover, the image touched a conflict zone, according to the headmaster. Grande is puzzled by the explanation about the decorating rules, and strongly disagrees that the image itself is full of conflict. – To love is a human right, and fortunately it is obvious to most people. I don’t understand how love can be so provocative. REACTS: Frida Marie Grande does not understand how love can provoke so much. Photo: Privat She clarifies that fortunately society has come a long way, and that it is not a question of any large school saying no. But she believes it is important to change attitudes. – For those who go to this school, the message about equality is probably as important as for everyone else, and perhaps even more important. Does not accept external art School owner at Stord Christian School is Tomas Moltu, also known as former KrF city councilor in Bergen. As a school owner, the decoration of Stord Kristne is his concern. – What was it about this picture that made you put your foot down? – We have never accepted any form of decoration from others. We want to decorate the school ourselves the way we want it, and it is not controversial. However, it would have been controversial if this had not been the case, if outside actors had defined how the school should be decorated. – Is this to be understood as all external art contributions are prohibited? If you were offered a picture with more classical Christian values, would that also be rejected? – Well, it’s hard to say. We have not speculated on that, but as a starting point the initiative for decoration lies with us. Not all external contributions are prohibited, but we chose to say no to this, Moltu replies. Photo: Privat Etterlyser school requirements To the online newspaper Vårt Land, Tomas Moltu stated that the image promotes pride, a movement he describes as controversial. He wonders where the pride boundaries go, and wonders if that includes polygamy, as well as whether the age limit for children should also be moved. Tor Jæger Koppang in the Education Association refers to the statement as gross, while Frida Marie Grande believes that the statements put the matter in an even gloomier light. – I wonder how a Norwegian school can have these attitudes when educating children, says Koppang. KING DRAWING: It is this picture that has led to a heated discussion at Stord. Photo: Frida Marie Grande Skeptical of pride But Tomas Moltu thinks the question is legitimate. Although the quote on the picture of Frida is about people of the same sex who love each other, Moltu does not perceive that the message is limited to that alone. – We interpret the image to mean that it promotes pride, and it is something far more than just homosexuality. The Pride concept is owned by the organization Fri. They intend to promote gender diversity and sexual diversity, but I don’t know where they set the limits for this. – Where do you think the boundaries should be set? – By the classic Christian understanding of cohabitation, where you have a spouse you are faithful to for life. This is for the sake of cohabitation, but also for the children. They have a right to know their biological origin and to have their biological parents look after them. – Can the spouse then be of the same sex? – Again, this is linked to the children’s right to know their origin and their relationship with their biological parents. That should be a clue. Mostly positive Both Tor Jæger Koppang and Frida Marie Grande say that the reception of the pictures has been largely good. Koppang has received messages from private individuals and teachers around the country who praise the initiative, and who encourage others to do something similar for their schools. Grande also gets nice feedback from others. – People who are independent of this matter have sent me pictures of them wearing T-shirts with the king on them when they go to work in the kindergarten, and pictures of posters that are put up in schools.
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Stord Kristne skole turned down the royal image – news Vestland
