Attitudes towards LHBT-persons 2013. A part of the project 'Sexual Orientation and Living Conditions'

The survey is part of a larger project - "Sexual Orientation and Living Conditions" - carried out on behalf of the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs at the Royal Ministry of Children and Equality.

The proportion of the population with a negative attitude towards lesbian women and homosexual men are relatively low, and reducing amongst men. Relatively few have never been in contact with lesbian women and homosexual men, and the amount of contact is increasing amongst men compared to before. Fewer men confirmed remarkable negative attitude toward lesbian and homosexuals compared to 2008, whilst women were stable on these matters. A remarkable majority agreed in statements with positive attitude towards lesbian and homosexual persons. There were more negative attitude amongst both women and men towards two women or two men holding hands and kissing, than if there were to person of different sex doing the same. A smaller majority confirmed negative behavior towards lesbian women and homosexual men, normally by jokes.

The proportion men with negative attitude towards bisexual are lower in 2013 than in 2008, whilst among women it was steady with relatively few. A significant proportion of the population reports that they have never been in contact with bisexual women or men (one fourth, or more). This proportion has been reduced amongst men, but increased amongst women. A minority confirmed negative behavior towards bisexual, but not of serious actions.

A minority of the population had negative attitude towards transsexuals in 2013, and the proportion was reduced amongst men from 2008. A majority did not have contact with transsexuals, but the proportion that had contact with persons who have had gender affirming medical treatment increased from 2008 to 2013.

A minority agreed that they expressed evident negative attitude towards transsexuals, more often amongst men than women, while a significant majority said that they agreed in expressing evident positive attitude towards transsexuals. Relatively large proportion were negative to persons who did not suit with any of the regular gender categories showing affection in public. Negative behavior towards transgender was reported by a minority, in most cases by jokes.

A relatively large minority supported that persons who had received a gender affirming medical treatment should be able to freeze eggs and sperm in order to be able to be parents to their own children.

There is a minor unrest in the population regarding how children of lesbian and homosexual parents are. Under half of the men (36 - 40%) and over the half of the women (58->57%) agreed that lesbian couples should have the same right to get assisted fertilization as heterosexual couples, like the law today. At this matter, there were no remarkable changes in mindset de last five years. Amongst women there were a reduced proportion who supported more liberal arrangements regarding egg donation.

The conclusion were that the last five years has been a movement among Norwegian men towards an accept for lesbians, homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals. However, the proportion who confirms negative statements about for lesbians, homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals are still evident.