In this op-ed in Dagen Truls Olufsen-Mehus encourages Arendalsuka to dare to take up the debate on how we should talk about and relate to the understanding of gender in 2024:
There has been a growing interest in the Norwegian population, in the media and on social media about what gender is. How gender should be understood, and how one can talk about gender at work, at school, in textbooks, at home, in church and in politics.
It is therefore proposed that gender be set as the main theme at Arendalsuka in 2024. The applicants invite publishers, politicians, interest organizations and social debaters to shine a real spotlight on the topic in order to contribute to a more enlightened, more constructive and open social debate for everyone.
The debate about what gender is explosive and, in its current form, creates a fear of expression.
Many questions have many different answers depending on who you ask. How many genders are there? What is gender identity, and does gender identity replace biological sex?
Are there objective criteria for determining gender? Is gender a social construct? What are the facts?
What is ideology, belief or personal preference? And how should we relate to different views, beliefs and experiences?
Should we give children and young people drugs and hormones based on subjective feelings and experiences? Where does medical ethics stand when it comes to experimental and irreversible treatment that leads to sterility and serious side effects in healthy bodies?
Why is there a 25-year age limit for sterilization, but only 16 years for hormone therapy that can lead to sterility? What does the law say about legal gender reassignment and how should we deal with gender identity in women's sports, locker rooms, and gender quotas?
How are women's rights preserved in relation to trans issues? Why should all children be taught the gender understanding of a few percent of the population? What is the political agenda, how far and in what direction do different actors want to go? What does it mean for society's understanding of gender that the Directorate of Health is working to ensure that "sexual health" is equal to mental and physical health by 2030?
Based on the growing interest and the high level of conflict, three books have been written on the topic in 2023, and the three authors have all agreed to participate in debates and possible lectures at Arendalsuka.
The authors are Glenn-Peter Sætre, professor of evolutionary biology, with the book "Two Genders", Anne Kalvig, former professor of religious studies, with the book "Kjønnstru" and Danby Choi, editor of Subjekt, with the book "Cancel me if you can".
This is a good starting point for a thorough debate and many conversations. Politicians and interest groups, professionals, doctors, sexologists and health nurses, parents and parent organizations have many spokespersons ready. And probably many more will sign up!
In the past year, 4th grade science textbooks have introduced "gender identity" as an alternative to biological sex. Documentation of this can be found, among other things, at www.skeivteori.no. Teachers are ready on both sides of the debate to argue their cases about what they believe is best for the school and the students.
«The Government's Action Plan for Gender and Sexual Diversity (2023-2026)" was published in February 2023. It consists of 49 measures in a wide range of social areas.
In response to this, the first municipality in the country, Bærum Municipality, has decided that all schools in the municipality will become a so-called "Rainbow Lighthouse", which requires certification by the association FRI. A certification that means that employees and management must be trained in a completely new understanding of gender based on queer theory.
The issue of gender is highly topical and involves almost everyone. Polarization seems inevitable and can create conflicts in politics, in the workplace, at school, at home, and in individuals' understanding of reality and self-image.
Arendalsuka can address this and reduce polarization and a culture of fear. The media will most likely have great interest in these debates.
People no longer dare to say what they think or know about gender. We know from the Ung 2023 survey that 52 percent of young people in a number of thematic areas no longer dare to express their opinions.
We know from surveys in business that the majority of employees do not dare to speak their minds on sensitive issues. We know from surveys in academia that studies and surveys that provide politically incorrect answers are often not published due to fear of expression.
It is therefore measurable that we have a fear of speaking out on a number of topics, and gender is one of the most difficult topics to discuss in Norway today.
Based on the points above, a main theme can be summarized as follows:
«"What is gender? Why is gender important in 2024? Where are the theories, knowledge, and understanding of gender headed?"
How do we talk about completely different understandings of gender in a polarized world? The topic of gender touches on freedom of expression, science, emotions, human rights, parents, yes, the entire population and the entire human being.»
Kristent Ressurssenter would like to contribute as a partner on the theme of gender as the main theme at Arendalsuka. We are applying on behalf of the co-applicants who will contribute with marketing of the events and to the work with debates and lectures.
