A record number of people marched in Oslo’s Pride parade
A record number of people attended Oslo’s Pride march in Norway on Saturday.
At least 35,000 marched in the parade while tens of thousands of people cheered them on from the sides, topping the number from previous years.
A participant of the 2014 Euro Pride parade is pictured with a rainbow flag in Oslo, Norway at 2014’s march (Bendiksby, Terje/AFP/Getty Images)
Many LGBT people and their allies marched to show the importance of coming together to support diversity.
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The parade lasted over an hour, starting from Oslo’s Grønland district and finishing at Karl Johans Gate.
Not only did members of the LGBT community attend and take part but so did families and tourists.
There was some star political power at the event as Norway’s Health Minister Bent Høie marched in the parade with his husband.
There were groups representing many parts of society marching during the parade.
That ranged from doctors and nurses to labour unions and workers.
One group holding signs that read “Proud families and friends” received a massive round of applause from the spectators.
Corporations got involved too, as members of the international consulting firm Accenture marched with signs that read: “Bring your authentic self to work.”
The age of the spectators varied massively from young children to elderly Norwegians who were waving rainbow flags.
5 finer frokner at the pride parade!!!! #OsloPride pic.twitter.com/bAveXrlRP2
— Jydoodles (@jydoodles_film) July 1, 2017
There were many children dressed up for the occasion who were enjoying a day out with their families.
Many of the spectators and marchers were celebrating just how far the country has come in its fight for acceptance and equality in regard to sexual orientation.
the police join the festivities ❤ #oslopride pic.twitter.com/ElA09KZVXn— änn (@squirrel_tarjei) July 1, 2017
It was illegal to be homosexual in Norway until 1972 when a law that criminalised sex between men was scrapped.
This was a key moment in the legal fight for equal rights and acceptance of the LGBT community in Norway.
The parade turnout was so big that the event organisers, security guards and police worked hard to make sure there was enough space for the marchers to pass.
The parade had a strong police presence with police commando vans blocking off side streets while officers patrolled the streets.
