The Most Influential Lesbians In Norway

By Sandra Showtime on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 20:29

Gaysir.no lately published their annual list of the most influential lesbians and gays in Norway. It's not about popularity or who’s hotter, but about the recognition of the women who help normalize the picture of gays and lesbians in Norway, who work for gay rights and are role models for young gay people.

The editorial staff who have chosen the candidates, both for gays and lesbians, publish this list each year. Gaysir.no is a gay and lesbian network site with news and a forum-section. Make sure you check it out, if you speak a little Norwegian.

Since we can’t, Absent from the Gro Hammerseng Fan-Forum was so nice to translate it. Many thanks for the tip and translation!

Here you go with the most influential lesbians of Norway!

[Copyright @ Gaysir.no]

The first place goes to the only out lesbian politician in Parliament.
The candidates have been judged on the same criteria as the list of the most influential gay men of 2009.

The will, capability and courage to further gay rights and the general acceptance of gay love was essential when selecting candidates. Being in a position of some power is not enough. The candidates must also have used their role to influence the lives of gays and lesbians in a positive way.
This year, our choice for 1st place is Anette Trettebergstuen. She is unafraid and non-compromittal in matters of gay rights, domestic and abroad.

Those who have fallen out of the list from last year is Anne Aasheim, Anne Holt and Linda Eide.

1. Anette Trettebergstuen (27)
The gaypolitical spokesperson for the Labour Party. Still the only out lesbian in the Norwegian Parliament. Anette has used her position in the Forreign Affairs Comittee to consciously put international LGBT-rights in the spotlight. She is unafraid and non-compromittal when gay rights are on the agenda.

She has involved herself in numerous human rights affairs, including the work to remove the travel restrictions for HIV-positive people, and to remove § 155, the so-called HIV-paragragh. Together with Håkon Haugli, Anette has also put a lot of focus on the health of young gay people. Up one place from last year.

2. Sara Azmeh Rasmussen (35)
Writer and pundit with muslim background. The only publicly out lesbian muslim in Norway. Sara has shown through words and actions that she is willing to go very far in her fight against suppression of muslim women and homosexuals. During the Gay Days of 2008, she wanted to symbolize her stands by burning a niqab.

Sara challenges traditional attitudes in the muslim society by being provocotive and by using reasonable arguments to confront them. She has been very clear with the `Norwegian Islamic Council', in that their view of homosexuality and their refusal to take a stand against death penalty for homosexuality is totalitarian and unacceptable.

After a period of confusion, Sara defines herself as transgender. New on the list.

3. Vibeke Skofterud (28)
The cross country skiing star came out as a lesbian in a blissful relationship in 2008. After having argued with herself, Vibeke chose to go public with her sexuality, and her new girlfriend. "I could live in a dump site, as long as I can be with Line", Vibeke has stated. She is a good role model for young gay athletes.

A couple of years ago, she was voted the 3rd sexiest girl in Norway by the magazine 'Mann'. New on the list.

4. Gro Hammerseng (28)
She is still one of the iconic figures in Norwegian women's handball, and her and Katja Nyberg's openness inspired Are Grongstad to come out as the first male gay handball player.

Afterellen.com placed Gro among the 100 hottest women in the world in 2008. The site also named Gro and Katja their international lesbian couple in their visibility awards. She was also awarded the Caspar-award from her home town. She is still the most beautiful lesbian from Toten, no Gjøvik. Same place as last year.

5. Bera Moseng (49)

The researcher and councilor for the Health Board, who together with photographer and author Lill-Ann Chepstow-Lusty, and the leader of the Health Board, Rolf Angeltvedt, published the book Gay Kids - "cool kids who also exist" in 2008.

Bera has extensive knowledge on what social issues that influence the living standards and health of gay people, and she happily shares this knowledge. Same place as last year.

6. Christine Koht (41)

Known from TV, radio and the stage light, in addition to being a writer. Christine happily gives of herself and shares her private life. In her Friday-column in the A-magazine, her relationship with author Pernille Rygg is made very clear.

Maybe the lesbian who is best at normalizing gay love. Down three places from last year.

7. Beate Gangås (45)
The Equality and Discrimination Ombudswoman since January 2006. Back in full force after a period of illness. A pitbull in the equality and diversity work within sports. Amongst other things, that involes a zero tolerance for sexual harassment and consequences for those who make homophobic remarks.

Has also stated that Norwegian employers need to become better at including gays and lesbians. Down one place from last year.

8. Erna Bøyum (46)
The editor of the Blikk magazine knows how to use her editorials  to put the spotlight on important issues. The editorials would have deserved a bigger audience than the subscribers of Blikk. Down one place from last year.

9. Karen-Christine (Kim) Friele (73)
For all forseeable future, Kim will be mentioned as the woman who has done the most for gay rights. She has played a part since way back in the 60's, and up until today. Kim might not be on top of the barricades anymore, but when Kim speaks, people listen.

In 2008, she was named an honorary member of the Labour Party. Same place as last year.

10. Karen Pinholt (33)
The new leader of LLH (Norwegian Association of Lesbian and Gay Liberation), has stated that the new main goal for LLh is making LGBT-issues obligatory in all stages of the education system. She also wants to push employers in a more 'gay-friendly' direction. On the list because we have great expectations to what she can accomplish as the leader of LLH. New on the list.

[End]

Yes, another ten reasons to move to Norway. Eleven actually, since gaysir.no is one itself. Oh wait, there's also Heidi Marie Vestrheim and the legalization of same-sex-marriage. And...well, just read the protrait of Norway and get your bags already!

Who are the most influential lesbians in your country? Let us know in the comments!