Are we free to love
whoever we want?

For most people, being in love is something that feels great. But sometimes it can feel quite difficult. This depends on who you have fallen in love with.

Bryllupskake i et likekjønnet ekteskap
Bryllupskake i et likekjønnet ekteskap

Sexual orientation

Sexual orientation is rarely a choice but rather something that most people feel that they are born with. Some people are heterosexual and like the opposite sex. Others are homosexual and like people of the same sex. There are also people who are bisexual or pansexual who like both sexes. Homosexuality is not only found in human societies, but also in many non-human animal species from mammals to insects.

Lykkelig lesbisk par
Lykkelig lesbisk par

Can you love whoever you want in Norway?
– A historical review

Yes, you can, but it hasn’t always been that way. If we have a look at the situation for homosexuals in Norway, it hasn’t always been that simple. Making love or engaging in any sexual acts with someone of the same sex used to be punishable in Norway. It wasn’t until 1972 that the criminal law against homosexuality was cancelled.

Although homosexuality was no longer a crime, it was still looked upon as a psychiatric disorder. Homosexuality was not removed as a diagnosis until 1982.

From the 70s to the 90s, important societal changes relating to equality and sexuality took place, but it wasn’t until 2008 that gay couples could get married with the same rights as heterosexual couples.

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Pride-paraden i Oslo i 2018
Pride-paraden i Oslo i 2018

The Norwegian Marriage Act

In 1993, a new partnership law was passed that granted lesbians and gays the same rights as heterosexuals when it came to marriage, but not the right to adopt children or marry in the Church of Norway.

After wide political agreement, the Norwegian Parliament voted for a new marriage law in 2009, which gave gay and lesbian couples the same rights as heterosexuals when it comes to marriage and adoption.

A few years later, the discrimination act was strengthened with a focus on sexual orientation and gender identity. According to the Norwegian Police’s security service, people from the LGBT community are among the most discriminated against in society.

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Nygift homofilt par
Nygift homofilt par

Coming out of the closet

“Coming out of the closet” is an expression that describes the first time someone speaks openly about their sexual orientation. This experience differs from person to person. This could be down to the individual’s family situation or the environment that they have grown up in. For some, ‘coming out’ can be quite easy, while for others it can be more difficult.

Coming out of the closet is brave and free. You finally feel ready to express how you feel, and potentially who you like. Many people can be afraid, or don’t dare to come out because of a fear of negative reactions from family and friends, or even a fear of being excluded. Luckily, most people are met with positive reactions.

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Trist gutt inne i mørket
Trist gutt inne i mørket

The human right to love who you want

The right to love whoever you want is a basic human right. According to Amnesty International, a democracy is not completely free if the country hinders love and sexuality between adults.

In a lot of places around the world, the rights of LGBT people are denied and violated. For example, in Russia there is no same-sex marriage law, and you can be put in prison if you promote LGBT rights in public. Even peaceful Pride parades are met with violent demonstrations in Russia. So, Amnesty claims that Russia violates the right to love whoever you want.

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Regnbuefargede hender i håndjern
Regnbuefargede hender i håndjern

Religion as a barrier

In Norwegian law, there is nothing that stops people with different religions from loving each other. They are also allowed to marry as long as they meet the conditions for marriage.

But depending on which religion you belong to, not all religious scriptures allow marriage. There are actually 29 countries in the world which forbid marriage between two people of different faiths. Most of these countries are Muslim.

More and more countries are allowing homosexual marriage. The Netherlands was the first country to do this, in the year 2000 – and when Norway changed its law in 2008, it was the Christian political parties who voted against the change in law.

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Muslimsk kvinne
Muslimsk kvinne

Forced marriage

Forced marriage is defined to be a marriage where at least one party is forced or pressured into marrying another person. This is a choice made by family or religious beliefs rather than by the person who is to be married. Forced marriage is therefore commonly associated with negative social control.

Forced marriage is forbidden in Norway, but according to Norwegian authorities there are some cases in immigrant communities. If you are pressured into a marriage, you have the right to seek help from your school or your local health centre.

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Tvangsekteskap med håndjern
Tvangsekteskap med håndjern

Arranged marriage

Arranged marriage is legal in Norway if both parties getting married are over the age of 18. In this instance, the family helps to find a suitable spouse for the person getting married, but both parties must agree and say yes. Trying to persuade someone is not acceptable here. Historically, arranged marriages took place among royal families and landowners to create alliances. In today’s Norway, it is associated with some ethnic communities.

A number of politicians in Norway want to ban this, as it can be difficult to distinguish between arranged marriage and forced marriage.

Arrangert ekteskap i 1697

The battle for love

Being able to love who you want has been a struggle in Norway, and it is still a big struggle in many parts of the world. Nobody else should decide who you love or marry. This is a choice only you can make.

The roads of love are mysterious, it is said, and neither religion, gender, ethnicity or national borders can get in the way.

 

Sources:

Media Rights:

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    3. Human-Etisk Forbund (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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    6. Seventeen – YouTube
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