NRK - published 04.10.2022 at 09:47
- "It's great to see that the government is now investing in and strengthening the so-called LGBT pot," says Inge Alexander Gjestvang, head of FRI.
In next year's state budget, the government proposes to increase support for queer organisations by NOK 15 million. This is close to a doubling from 2022.
Gjestvang believes that the money will benefit the entire queer population. For FRI, this opens up the possibility of expanding the organisation.
People dedicate their free time to help create meeting places and improve queer people's quality of life and living conditions!
Inge Alexander Gjestvang explains that much of the work done for queer people in Norway is based on volunteering.
- People dedicate their free time to help create meeting places and improve the quality of life and living conditions for queer people," says Gjestvang.
If the government's proposed funding goes through, the organisation FRI will be able to follow up the volunteering more closely. FRI also wants to offer its members legal counselling, such as answering inquiries about family law for queer people.
- To provide answers to questions that queer people often don't get answers to elsewhere in society.
As the horrific terrorist attack here showed, it is far from the case that queer people can live safe and free lives, not even in Norway.
On the night of 25 June, the two people killed and dozens injured in a terrorist attack outside the London pub and Per on the corner.
- As the terrible terrorist attack here showed, it is far from the case that queer people can live safe and free lives, not even in Norway," says Minister for Equality Anette Trettebergstuen.
On Tuesday, Trettebergstuen met with several leaders of queer organisations in central Oslo in connection with the proposal to increase funding.
- "Everyone in Norway should be able to be themselves and live free and safe lives. That's why we're now prioritising a major boost in support for queer organisations," she says.
If the proposal is implemented, the pot from which organisations can apply for funding will grow to approximately NOK 37 million.
The proposal also doubles the grant to Oslo Pride from NOK 1 million to NOK 2 million.
This is the largest pride event in the country, but has significance beyond the municipal boundaries.
- They're also doing a fantastic job of inspiring and educating other pride events around the country about how they can bring people together and celebrate and mark political struggles," says Trettebergstuen.
The support also includes Skeiv Verden. Chairman of the Board Bassel Anis Hatoum says this is a great recognition of the work they do. "It's great news that the government is doubling its support for queer organisations, it's much-needed support. "We at Queer World have been working under difficult circumstances for many years," says Hatoum.
