For the first time in history, a rainbow flag was raised aboard a Norwegian warship on the weekend as the annual Bergen Pride Parade moved from land to the water due to Covid-19 with the first-ever boat pride parade.
Bergen is a city on Norway’s southwestern coast and in 2019 the Bergen Pride Parade gathered over 25 000 people in the streets. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bergen Pride decided to move this year’s parade from land to sea, in order to carry out the parade in a safe way.
Because of the change, it allowed the Norwegian Navy to take part in the parade for the first time and take part they did.
The Khitra anti-submarine ship, the Tur patrol ship, the Olav Tryggvason support ship, as well as two training ships and two light boats took part in the gay parade.
The crews of these ships also waved small rainbow flags to greet the other parade participants.
Navy chief Rune Andersen said sailors have a tradition of communicating with signal flags, and today Norwegian sailors have signalled that they are participating in the struggle for diversity.
“It is important for us to make it clear that everyone can serve in the navy, regardless of origin and orientation, ” he said.
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The fire services also participated in the boat parade celebrating the fact on their Instagram account.
“In the fire service, we work to save lives, the environment and values. Then it is the task and not what orientation, skin color, outlook on life or gender you have that matters. The fire service must be a workplace where we are concerned with equality and where diversity is a strength. Happy pride”
Last Updated on Jun 15, 2021
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