– I wanted to get rid of the half-truths I had been dealing with. The popular singer from Henningsvær has for several years topped the charts with songs about vulnerable, beautiful and difficult things in life. This spring he decided to be totally honest with himself. On social media, he said that he had found a girlfriend. A boyfriend. The process of saying it out loud to himself and the fans was difficult. – There were shivers in my body, but I landed a text I could stand for. – I had a sickly high pulse, my arms were clammy while I was sitting with my boyfriend. Then I publish the print, he says to Lindmo, where he is a guest tonight. Good deed Justad says that he felt an enormous sense of relief that he no longer had anything to hide. – It was as if I had done a good deed to myself and at best helped others who needed to hear it, he underlines. This summer he was looking forward to celebrating Oslo Pride, but what was supposed to be the capital’s biggest celebration of queer love and diversity is still in tears. Impact of the incident On the night of 25 June, two people were killed and several others injured after the shooting at Per på kørket and London Pub. The latter is known for being a meeting place for homosexuals. Justad was on his way from Trondheim to Oslo that night. He used the journey to send messages to friends and acquaintances to check that they were safe. Sondre Justad was at the Neon Festival this summer and traveled home to Oslo on the night of the attack. Photo: Morten Skogly / news P3 – I felt it stronger on my body than I thought I would. To not have been there, I mean. I was very affected by the incident, admits the artist. Harder to be gay Bård Nylund is a former leader of what is now called the association FRI. He was among those who experienced the attack up close. Nylund was standing outside a London pub taking a smoke when the shot came. He witnessed shots being fired and that the perpetrator was finally overpowered. He believes that it has become more difficult to be queer in Norway after the attack. – For some, the fear has taken hold, says Nylund. He points out that the rights for homosexuals are well founded in the Norwegian public spirit, but: – I think the attack may have had an impact on queer life unfolding. I make assessments to a greater extent now than before about whether I can rent my boyfriend on the street, he says. Bård Nylund, a clear voice in the gay fight for many years, experienced the attack in Oslo on 25 June up close. Photo: Astrid Hernholm / news On Saturday, Pride will be marked with a rainbow train in connection with the attack. – Surrounded by love Both Nylund and Justad are going there. – I want to take back the day, and be surrounded by love for a whole day, says Justad. Nylund hopes that as many as possible will come. – A society must take care of its minorities. It must be everyone’s responsibility, he underlines. Catch Lindmo on news 1 at 21.35 or whenever you want on news TV.
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– Want to take back the day – news Culture and entertainment
