The Proud Experience In Oslo

The situation for LGBTQ+people around the world is still challenging and in many places people are still not able to freely love who they want. Visit Oslo, the official tourist information of the Norwegian capital, wanted even more people to experience the joy the Parade brings to the city. In a new film you can experience Oslo Pride through the eyes of Kadir Telli (24) from Turkey and married couple Anna Grúňová (31) og Klára Slivoňová (32) from the Czech Republic.

Welcome to my City where the Pride is really pretty

Visit Oslo / Via Facebook: VisitOslo

My first Pride ever

For Kadir, who is gay, it was an emotional experience. He has never participated in a Pride Parade before. In his hometown of Istanbul, the Parade was recently cancelled by the police for the fourth year in a row. When hundreds of people crossed the ban and started marching anyway, the riot police used tear gas. Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but Kadir still experiences a lot of prejudices and challenges because of who he is.

Kadir got quite emotional

Visit Oslo / Via visitoslo.com

- What I find unique in Oslo Pride is that it is very inclusive. Not only LGBTQ+-individuals participate in it, but all the Norwegian people and everybody is welcome, he says.

One police for all

Anna Grúňová is a police officer in her hometown of Brno, the second largest city in Czech Republic, and was very surprised to see that Norwegian police officers actually participating in the Parade.

Anna meets an Norwegian Police officer who is attending the Pride Parade

Visit Oslo / Via visitoslo.com

- The police in the Czech Republic during the Pride work as guards. I cannot imagine that a police officer would attend the Pride itself, she says.

According to Kadir, the trip to Oslo gave him motivation and strength to be even prouder of who he is.

Visit Oslo / Via visitoslo.com

- I love Oslo. Not only does it give me the freedom to be who I am, at also gives me the joy to have fun as who I am.