Who are considered sexual minorities? 

• Gay men: men who are attracted to other men
• Lesbians: women who are attracted to other women
• Bisexuals: men or women who are attracted to both men and women
• Transgender persons: Persons whose appearance or identity differ from the sex they were born with.

The rights of sexual minorities

In Norway, it is illegal to discriminate people on grounds of:

• sexual orientation (if you are attracted to men or women or both)
• gender identity (which gender you identify with)
• gender expression (how you express your gender identity, for example through clothes, hairstyle, make-up or body language)

If you are a victim of violence for such reasons, the perpetrator will be punished more severely.

Since 1993, Norwegian women and men have had the opportunity to enter into a registered partnership with a person of the same sex. Since 2009, same-sex marriage has been legal in Norway. This means that same-sex spouses and cohabitants can apply for family immigration in the same way as other couples.

Who can help you?

• Foreningen for kjønns- og seksualitetsmangfold (FRI) (external website) (The organisation for gender and sexuality diversity) is an organisation which works for equal oportunities and diversity, and against discrimination of sexual minorities. FRI can give you advice and organise activities. (+47) 23 10 39 39, email: post@llh.no
• Queer world (external website): A multicultural network that organises social events and gives people the chance to talk about such matters. Phone: (+47) 95093293, email: post@skeivverden.no.
• Gay and Lesbian Health Norway (external website), the Olafia clinic: Health examinations and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
• The police: (+47) 02800 (emergency phone number: 112), if you wish to report someone to the police, if you are in danger or if you need advice.
• The Expert Team for the Prevention of Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (external website) can give you advice and guidance if your family is forcing you to marry. You can contact the expert team via email kompetanseteamet@imdi.no or phone (+47) 478 09 050.
• The web portal www.dinutvei.no (external website), is a nationwide guide to assistance, information and knowledge about violence within the family, rape and other types of sexual abuse. You can also ask questions anonymously.   

Further information for helpers

• The government's action plan: Improving quality of life among lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans persons 2009–2012 (external website)
• LGBT Knowledge Centre: National Centre for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (external website)
• Foreningen for kjønns- og seksualitetsmangfold (FRI) (external website)