As one of the most sophisticated countries on the planet, it naturally follows that Norway is also one of the most gay-friendly. Most Norwegians are tolerant of the lifestyles of others, including their sexual preference. Obviously, an urban center such as Oslo will accommodate a more openly gay life than in rural areas.
In Norway gays and lesbians have the same legal status as heterosexuals, with the exception of adoption rights. Legislation passed in 1981 protects gays and lesbians from discrimination. In 1993 a law was passed recognizing the "partnerships" of homosexual couples -- in essence, a recognition of same-sex marriages. The age of consent for both men and women in Norway is 16 years of age.
For more information, call Gay/Lesbian Visitor Information, St. Olavs Plass 2, N-0165 Oslo (tel. 22-11-05-09). An English-speaking representative will give you up-to-date information on gay and lesbian life in Oslo and let you know which clubs are currently hot.
The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) (tel. 800/448-8550 or 954/776-2626; www.iglta.org) is the trade association for the gay and lesbian travel industry and offers an online directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel businesses; go to their website and click on "Members."
Many agencies offer tours and travel itineraries specifically for gay and lesbian travelers. Above and Beyond Tours (tel. 800/397-2681; www.abovebeyondtours.com) is the exclusive gay and lesbian tour operator for United Airlines. Now, Voyager (tel. 800/255-6951; www.nowvoyager.com) is a well-known San Francisco-based gay-owned and -operated travel service. Olivia Cruises & Resorts (tel. 800/631-6277; www.olivia.com) charters entire resorts and ships for exclusive lesbian vacations and offers smaller group experiences for both gay and lesbian travelers.
The following travel guides are available at most travel bookstores and gay and lesbian bookstores, or you can order them online: Frommer's Gay & Lesbian Europe, an excellent travel resource, although it doesn't target Norway specifically; Spartacus International Gay Guide (Bruno Gmünder Verlag; www.spartacusworld.com/gayguide) and Odysseus: The International Gay Travel Planner (Odysseus Enterprises Ltd.), both good annual English-language guidebooks focused on gay men; and the Damron guides (www.damron.com), with separate annual books for gay men and lesbians.
