Many parents experience their children being part of pride celebrations at school – often without clear information, without real alternatives and with limited opportunity to opt out. When they contact the school, they often receive answers that point to values and intentions: that pride is positive, that it is about inclusion, and that it is in line with the school's values.
But this raises a more fundamental question: What does the legislation actually say – and how should the rights of students and parents be safeguarded?
A common experience is that schools do not provide clear answers on how students' rights are safeguarded in the face of such markings. Instead, they refer to general statements and value-based justifications, rather than specific assessments of rights.
When parents ask questions, the school must be able to show how the situation has been assessed and how the students' rights are being safeguarded. The lack of clear answers makes the situation confusing and demanding for many.
This is a pattern we have also documented earlier in the case: «Parents face resistance in the fight against forced pride in schools – but the law is still on their side ».
In the face of pride celebrations in schools, several basic rights apply:
• The training should take place in collaboration with the home and with respect for the parents' beliefs.
• Students have the right to a safe and good school environment – without pressure, exclusion or abuse.
• There is a right to exemption from activities that are perceived to be contrary to one's own beliefs or views on life.
• The school must act objectively, objectively and pluralistically in issues that are controversial in terms of values.
In practice, this means that the school cannot carry out activities in a way that is perceived as one-sided or pressuring, without at the same time ensuring real and equal alternatives – – and without being able to show how the students' rights are safeguarded.
To meet this challenge, we have developed a legal note in collaboration with lawyers, based on experience from specific cases. Together with associated resources, it should be easier to engage in dialogue with the school in a clear and objective manner.
The note and letter templates help you, among other things, to:
• Get clear information about the program
• Ask the school to explain what it is based on
• Request an exemption or an alternative
• Ask for a clear and reasoned response in writing.
The goal is not to create conflict, but to ensure that rights are actually protected – and that school remains a safe place for all students. Therefore, this is not primarily about for or against pride, but about an important boundary: that children should not experience pressure to participate in celebrations or endorse certain views.
When such situations arise, it is legitimate to ask for clear answers.
In the video below you can see a review of the legal assessment from a lawyer – and how it can be used in meetings with the school. Resources and letter templates are available at www.stoppride.no and at the bottom of the case.
Download resources you can use in meetings with the school here:
