Bergen, Norway: Most municipalities have positive attitudes to gays

  

Most municipalities in Bergen has a positive attitude to gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the workplace. A small minority are negative, according to a survey conducted by Fafo.

- The result was more positive than that made by similar studies in Scandinavia. If this is typical for larger jobs, it shows attitudes changing, "says researcher Arne Backer Grønningsæter who conducted the survey together with Fafo colleague Bjorn R. Lesch-Nuland.

Less acceptance

- The survey gives a fairly positive picture of the situation in the municipality of Bergen. There are some cracks in the main picture, "said Grønningsæter. He points out that it is inferior to the acceptance of gays colleagues in some male-dominated environments, technical support services and schools.

Commissioner for Health and Social Inclusion in Bergen, Christine B. Meyer, said that the general impression is very good.

- But the county has some challenges that we must take seriously. We must enter into dialogue with the communities that stand out as less positive. We need to work on attitudes, "said the Commissioner.

1 per cent negative

Among the more than 1,500 municipal employees who responded, 53 percent said that they are generally positive towards gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the workplace. 18 percent are either positive or negative while 1 percent is negative. 28 percent do not respond.

When asked if the employees think it is okay with a gay boss, answering 93 percent yes, 2 percent down while 6 percent said do not know.

Bergen has an action plan for the inclusion of gays. Fafo survey shows that one in three workers do not know the plan. Knowledge of inclusion plan is at least in the technical department, fire department and school.

Little discrimination

Among those who responded to the survey, there are 44 who say they are gays, lesbians or bisexuals. Their experience of the work environment does not differ much from the rest of the employees.

When asked how they feel that others relate to the fact that they are gays, answering almost three out of four colleagues are positive. One of the four have not told anyone that they are gays while over half have told it to the manager.

Only one of the 44 have experienced discrimination in the workplace. 33 of them have never had such problems while eight pieces are uncertain.

- Effortless
One of the lesbians in Bergen is Elisabeth Farstad. She participated when the report was presented in Bergen on Thursday and confirmed the positive impression:

- For me it has been quite problematic. I feel there is a diversity people appreciate, "she said.

- I believe transparency is important, although I have good experience with it. It is terribly difficult to live hidden. However, people have to be open about it if they do not want to.

 

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