Since its founding, Sjamanistisk Forbund has been a faith community that wishes to promote diversity of gender and sexuality, although this has not properly come across. As early as 2013 we gained the right to perform same-sex weddings, and we married our first same-sex couple in 2014. Even so, this topic has not been raised high enough on the agenda. We are therefore grateful for the help of FRI, through the course Rosa kompetanse (Pink Competence), in raising this topic. Sjamanistisk Forbund wishes to be a faith community for all of you.
Rosa kompetanse is a course offered by FRI, the Norwegian Organisation for Sexual and Gender Diversity. FRI works for equality and against discrimination of people who break with norms for gender and sexuality, in Norway and in the rest of the world.
The aim is to teach, encourage and support good routines for including everyone in what we do, whatever we are doing. Prevention, inclusion and equal worth are key words, and the speech-bubble logo with the text "Speak safe!" clearly shows that all voices shall and must be heard - and listened to, in safe ways.
Mathias from FRI was invited to give a talk for Sjamanistisk Forbund's elders and ceremony leaders about gender and sexuality diversity, a safe and skilled speaker.
Meeting people in a good way makes a big difference for the individual.
Communication must be inclusive in its basic form. Although society has opened up a great deal in recent years and many fortunately experience more acceptance today, there is still not equality. We heard that the statistics are still grim when it comes to bullying and poor mental health, and that many find it difficult to find room to be all of themselves in everyday life, whether in working life, family, leisure activities or faith.
It is also important to keep in mind that none of us can demand to know anything about anyone else; it is always the persons themselves who decide where the boundaries lie - what and how much they wish to share, and with whom. Gender identity is personal, and a "definition" of gender identity can vary greatly from person to person. If a person asks us to use a specific pronoun, this wish shall be respected and followed.
FRI focuses on encouraging competence-building, and works from the premise that everyone wants to do a good job. Using humour and typical expressions, Mathias held up a little mirror for several of us, and also gave many concrete suggestions for phrasings that embrace more people.
We were encouraged to reflect on our own thoughts, our own behaviour, our own prejudices and preconceived attitudes. How do we phrase things? What attitudes do we show outwardly, even though we may say something else? What do we do to show that we are inclusive - both as individuals and as an organisation? The questions were open and gave each person food for thought.
The course has set thoughts in motion for the individual ceremony leader and elder, but also for Sjamanistisk Forbund as an organisation. We want to set in motion processes that both clarify our position and make SF a faith community for all of you.
