Issue 17th June 2022 Love Is Love

Society’s expectations of gender expression and sexuality have changed radically over the past fifty years.
 
In 2022, it will be 50 years since homosexual conduct was decriminalised in Norway. On 21 April 1972, Section 213 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which prohibited sexual acts between men, was repealed. This was a breakthrough for the homosexual movement and marked a more open fight for equal rights for homosexuals.

The unstinting work of Karen-Christine (Kim) Friele and the Norwegian Society of 1948 (DNF-48) led to complete legalisation. Over the past 50 years, we have therefore gone from legislation decreeing that homosexuality was a criminal offence to regarding equality rights for homosexuals and heterosexuals as a fundamental Norwegian value, which characterises both our society and culture. 
 
Gender boundaries
Society used to regard sexuality as taboo, but attitudes have changed considerably and there is now growing respect for marriage equality for same-sex couples and their right to a church wedding.

Gender boundaries have also become more fluid and each person has a “right to gender identity”, allowing individuals far greater freedom to express their gender identity the way they want. The gay rights movement was occasionally specific and almost exclusively focused on issues facing lesbians and male homosexuals. Today, the policy area has been expanded to include a far wider gender and sexuality field.