The violence that occurred on the night of 25 June has shaken the entire queer community. Our thoughts go out to the victims and those affected by the attack. The incident has contributed to creating fear for many of us, and many are experiencing feelings of increased concern and insecurity at queer meeting places. Showing off one's queerness in public can now be perceived as particularly difficult. The undersigned in this press release are working to counteract this insecurity, among other things by offering meeting places, emergency services and developing strategies to counteract similar incidents.
The struggle for freedom and security for all is one we fight every single day. This horrific incident has shown us in the most brutal way that the fight must continue. The debate that has been going on in the media recently, where queer lives are referred to as an ideology, is harmful and helps to legitimise the hatred and violence against us. The media has a particular responsibility here in terms of how public discourse affects our lives. This contributes to creating disgust and polarisation. We all have a responsibility to spread acceptance and respect.
- Islamophobia and racism are of concern to many of the members and activists in our networks, who often encounter this in addition to homophobia and transphobia," says Bassel Hatoum, leader of Queer World.
We insist that hate is not met with more hate and xenophobia. The most important thing we can do now is to have a united and solidary movement
"We know that entire groups are often blamed for incidents for which individuals are responsible, and the last thing we need is to point the finger at minorities. Many queer people from minority backgrounds are feeling particularly vulnerable right now because of the fear of being exposed to racism and Islamophobia. After the police security service announced that they consider the shooting to be an extreme Islamist terrorist act, we are also concerned that Islamophobia in society will increase.
- "We insist that hate is not met with more hate and xenophobia. The most important thing we can do now is to have a united and solidary movement," says Bassel Hatoum, leader of Queer World. "In accordance with the police's recommendations, we cancelled all our slogans for the Pride parade, but we continue to offer meeting places and mental health services as this is important for the queer communities.
The violent attack on the 25th of june has stirred the whole queer community. Our thoughts are with the victims and those affected by this attack. This event has contributed to creating fear for many of us, and many experience increased worry and feelings of unsafety in queer spaces. To show their queerness in public can now seem extra difficult. Those that have signed this press release work continuously to counteract this feeling of unsafety, through offering safer spaces, emergency services and developing strategies to counteract similar events.
Freedom and safety for all is something we fight for every single day. This horrible incident has shown us in the most brutal way that the fight must continue. The recent media debate, where queer lives are referred to as ideology, is harmful, and a part of legitimising the hate and violence against us. This is creating disgust and polarisation. Every one of us has a responsibility to spread acceptance and respect.
- Islamophobia and racism is something that concerns many of the members and activists within our network, who often experience these in addition to homophobia and transphobia, says Bassel Hatoum, leader of Skeiv Verden.
We insist that hate should not be met with more hate and xenophobia. The most important thing we can do now is stand together in solidarity as a movement
We know that whole groups of people get blamed for single-person incidents, and the last thing we need now is to point fingers at minorities. A great deal of people with minority backgrounds will feel extra vulnerable now because of the potential racism and islamophobia that awaits after this incident. After the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) announced that they consider the incident an extremist islamist terrorist attack, we find ourselves especially worried that the islamophobia in our society will increase.
- We insist that hate should not be with more hate and xenophobia. The most important thing we can do now is stand together in solidarity as a movement, Bassel Hatoum says.
In accordance with the recommendations given by the police, we cancelled our participation in the Pride parade, but we continue to offer spaces to gather as well as mental health services, as this is critical for the queer community.
