If you have limited knowledge about Norway’s tolerance of outsiders (perhaps if you only know about Norway in history and not modern Norway), you might be surprised by Norway’s tolerance of homosexuals.  Historically, Norwegians were fairly intolerant of outsiders.  I think I have explained in one or more earlier posts that outsiders ruled Norway for much of her history.  This fact coupled with Norway’s geographic isolation led to a feeling of intolerance of people who were different. 

Another reason why it might be hard for someone to determine if Norwegians would support homosexuality is because of the stereotype that Norwegian men are strong, attractive, and relatively macho and women are simply beautiful.  In all honesty, Norwegian men are very often attractive and many of them take very good care of their bodies by exercising and eating well and Norwegian women are very pretty.  However, the macho thing I think dates back to the Viking Age and women have gained such equality that many have become extremely independent and do not necessarily “need a man” to complete the other half of them.  I think a lot of people today (at least Americans) think of Norway as if it hasn’t changed much since the Vikings.  Big brute men and pretty blond women hiking up mountains and having lots of pretty babies together.  There are plenty of metro-sexual looking Norwegian men that care a lot about fashion and personal representation, as well as female CEOs and top government officials that might care more about their jobs than their sexual orientation.  In no way do I mean to say that successful women that are treated the same as men are more likely to be homosexual, but the fact that women have gained such equality in Norway certainly means they are more able to be open about things that aren’t “traditional” historically 

This may surprise you, but Norway was actually one of the first country’s to enact homosexual anti-discrimination laws (1982).  Ten years prior (1972) was when homosexuality became legal.  Gays have been allowed to serve in the military since 1994.  And most recently, on the 1st of January this year, same-sex marriage became legal, as well as both joint and step adoption by same-sex couples, right to legally change gender, and artificial insemination for lesbian women (paid for by the state).

Even some (Christian) churches fly rainbow flags.  Now that’s liberal. 

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