Despite being produced to promote Oslo Pride in Norway, a newly released short film conveys a message that
everyone
can understand, regardless of their native language.

The video illustrates why the rainbow flag conveys a powerful message to members of the LGBTQ+ community. It tells them they are welcome.

The video was posted on Oslo Pride’s social media accounts last week. On Facebook, it’s already received 1.5 million views. An accompanying caption, in Norwegian, says, “There’s a lot of talk about what the rainbow colors mean these days. The answer is quite simple: Showing who you are – or who you stand with – isn’t just a decoration. It means that there’s room for you, that you belong and that you’re safe.”

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It starts with a man boarding a train. He sits with his legs crossed. Another man, who he presumes to be straight, sits across from him. Our man, self-conscious, uncrosses his legs.

However, the stranger then gets out his phone and puts it to his ear. As he does so, a rainbow wristband pokes out from his sleeve. The first man, seeing the wristband, visibly relaxes.

In another scene, a queer couple order a cab. They are unsure whether to hold hands until they see a rainbow sticker in the taxi saying ‘Trygg’ (Norwegian for ‘safe’).


Watch below.


On Instagram, it’s now Oslo Pride’s most-liked posting, with over 120,000 likes.


The video has also picked up traction on X.


Many praised it for evocatively capturing the real fear many queer folk feel about being themselves in public.



Pride Month

The video, of course, couldn’t have arrived at a better time. It coincides with the start of Pride Month. Although some household name brands have reduced their visible support of Pride and DEI policies in recent months, many others still want to use a rainbow to send a message.

Sesame Street has gone viral and prompted predictable right-wing outrage with a social media post marking Pride Month. It features an image of cartoon characters in rainbow colors holding hands.


The New England Patriots football team elicited similar fury — and praise — with its unequivocal support for Pride Month.


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