Since 2008, Uloba – Independent Living Norway has organized the annual Stolthetsparaden (Disability Pride Parade), turning the streets of Oslo into a space for both celebration and protest. On Saturday 14th june, we did it again and it was powerful!
Thousands of proud, strong, and visible disabled people and allies marched down Oslo’s main street, Karl Johan, united in our demand for equality and freedom. The sun was shining, the energy was electric, and the message was clear: Our rights are not optional.
Every year, this event grows in numbers and strength. We want to thank everyone who helped make this year’s parade and festival a fantastic success and everyone who marched with us. Together, we sent a loud and visible message to those in power: we are here, and we will not be ignored.
A celebration and a Call to Action
The Independent Living festival is a space for joy and community, but also for protest and political demands. The world’s largest minority, disabled people, still do not have our human rights fully recognized in national law. Our rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are not incorporated into the Norwegian Human Rights Act. That must change.
For nearly 35 years, we have built and developed our most important tool for equality: BPA (citizen-controlled personal assistance). But since 2012, when the BPA scheme was moved from social services into the healthcare legislation, it has deteriorated. Today, the system is failing. For many of us, the situation is critical.
We are sounding the alarm.
No One Benefits From Exclusion
Neither individuals nor society benefit when disabled people are made passive, placed in institutions, or prevented from working, studying, or participating in cultural and political life. Yet, this is the reality for many today.
That is why we are demanding that:
- BPA must be removed from healthcare legislation and placed under national responsibility – funded and managed by the state.
- The CRPD must be incorporated into the Norwegian Human Rights Act.
No one would accept that women’s rights, Sámi rights, or LGBTQ+ rights could be decided by local municipalities based on political will or financial priorities. So why do we accept this when it comes to the rights of disabled people?
Standing Together and Growing Stronger
Stolthetsparaden is more important than ever. And every year, we grow stronger. More voices. More power. More visibility.
Before the parade, we heard powerful speeches from:
- Uloba’s new Secretary General, Stig Morten Skjæran
- Norway’s Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud, Bjørn Erik Thon
- Activist, Marie Flaatten
- Labour Party Minister, Tonje Brenna
- Oslo’s Mayor, Anne Lindboe
During the evening event Stolt Natt (Proud Night), the Stolthetsprisen 2025 (Pride Award) was awarded to the Norwegian Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (NFU) a well-deserved recognition of their tireless work for equality and inclusion.
We march for freedom. We march for justice. We march because we are proud, strong, and visible.
