Kim Friele Memorial Prize awarded to Støttegruppa 25. juni and Insight
Press release | No: 32/24 | Date: 19/06/2024 | Ministry of Culture and Equality, Office of the Prime Minister
‘We are all striving to provide everyone – both in Norway and internationally – with a safe and inclusive society. A society where LGBT+ people can live free and good lives and love whoever they want. Støttegruppa 25. juni, the support group for victims of the June 25 attack in Oslo, and the Ukrainian organisation Insight are both doing incredibly important work in support of LGBT+ rights, and I am delighted they are awarded the prize this year,’ says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
During Oslo Pride last year, the government announced the creation of the Kim Friele Memorial Prize and this year marks the first winners. The prize is to be awarded annually to an individual or organisation that has actively worked to improve the situation for LGBT+ people.
‘By awarding the prize to both a Norwegian and an international recipient, we are acknowledging that Norway cannot lose sight of the difficulties that LGBT+ people are facing across the world. At the same time, we cannot allow ourselves to believe that we have resolved our challenges here in Norway. The terrorist attack in Oslo on 25 June 2022 was a brutal reminder of this fact. Despite all our progress, there is still work to be done. The Kim Friele Memorial Prize plays an important role in highlighting that we still have a way to go,’ says Lubna Jaffery, Minister of Culture and Equality.
The prize was awarded at the celebrations of Oslo Pride’s 50th anniversary at the Oslo Opera House on 19 June.
Two bridge builders
The Støttegruppa 25. juni was awarded the prize in recognition of the vital support and clear voice that it has provided to those affected by the terrorist attack in Oslo on 25 June 2022 by sharing their experiences and needs in dialogue with authorities and other bodies.
The association has worked to establish safe spaces for those affected by the attack and to disseminate information. They have also focused on what it is like to be a queer Muslim in Norway in the aftermath of the attack, and have sought to build bridges between the LGBT+ and Muslim communities.
Insight is awarded the prize for its key role in promoting LGBT+ rights in Ukraine. The organisation has worked to raise awareness around LGBT+ issues and has contributed to putting the rights of LGBT+ people on the agenda in Ukraine.
Insight’s work has included the establishment of local chapters across the country, as well as organising diversity festivals. They have also played a critical part in the campaign to abolish mandatory sterilisation and enforced psychiatric treatment for trans people seeking to change their legal gender, which they have collaborated together with Norwegian stakeholders.
Additionally, they have been key proponents in achieving recognition for same-sex partnerships. There is currently a draft law for civil unions before the Ukrainian parliament that would give same-sex partnerships legal status.
‘While we face pressing challenges in Norway, we know that it can be even more challenging for LGBT+ persons in other parts of the world. Insight has done tremendous work on behalf of LGBT+ people and other vulnerable groups following the Russian invasion. This has included the creation of safe shelters and refuges for LGBT+ people in several cities since ordinary refugee centres have been unsafe for LGBT+ persons,’ says chair of the jury Kristin Halvorsen.
The winners will each receive a prize of NOK 500,000.
The prize jury comprises Kristin Halvorsen, Guro Sibeko, Kjell Erik Ullman Øie and Knut Olav Åmås. The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs serves as the prize’s secretariat.
Press Contact to Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery: kudinfo@kud.dep.no, phone +47 90 23 10 93.
For interviews with price winners or jury members: contact secretariat manager eirik.aimar.engebretsen@bufdir.no