N R C | Nordic Rainbow Council

Calling Nordic Rainbow Humanists

2010-12-19T23:11:00.003+01:00

Nordic Rainbow Humanists

C/O Tupilak (Nordic rainbow cultural workers) http://www.tupilak.org/ , ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) Information Secretariat - Stockholm http://www.ilgcn.tupilak.org/ and the Nordic Rainbow Council.
_______________________________________________________________

CALLING NORDIC RAINBOW HUMANISTS December 16, 2010 Stockholm

Greetings! The latest information….

1. Nordic Rainbow Humanist Award winner 2010!!??? Suggestions, recommendations as quickly as
possible!

(Earlier awards have gone to humanists in Britain, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania (which helped launch the Romanian Humanist organization!), Nigeria. Our award to the Nigerian Humanists was finally handed out in person in London this year at a GALHA ceremony. See Erato on ILGCN web site)

2. Our Nordic Rainbow Humanist folder is to be reprinted. Suggestions, additions, new photos? As
quickly as possible to Stockholm!

3. 2011: As usual, we will include seminars on “Humanists on the Rainbow Barricades” at the coming
ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) world cultural conference stages:

May 2-14: Ankara/Istanbul (Rolf Solheim from Norway will once again join us with his multi-

media presentation!)

August 28-September 3: Crimea, Ukraine (More detailed information, dates coming)

We are also offering our usual rainbow humanist seminars at Polish pride events: Krakow (May), Warsaw (July) Wroclaw (New!!! - October) and Poznan (November).

Also: 3rd Baltic Pride in Tallinn, Estonia (June). Minsk, Belarus (August).

Sweden: We hope to have rainbow humanist seminars (or include humanism in our seminars on rainbow culture, international solidarity, etc.) at our traditional co-operation with Gothenburg LGBT Festival (May), Eskilstuna Pride (May), Uppsala Pride (September).

Stockholm Pride: We have been informed that a very good group of Swedish humanists are planning a major event at the coming Stockholm Pride!!

(Of course we offer any assistance but are very happy that this takes pressure off us. We have arranged humanist seminars at Pride House and elsewhere in Stockholm over the last few years with very fine response from the audiences and good discussions – often with visiting Nordic Rainbow Humanists from Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, etc.)

(Last year, our humanist seminar at Stockholm Pride House was one of our five Tupilak, ILGCN, NRH, seminars on rainbow culture, international solidarity, history, etc. For 2011, we hope to expand to other subjects such as “Rainbow Flags in Palestine…?” and “Rainbow Flags among the Roma-Sinti…?”)

4. GALHA – we will once again invite our London-based colleagues to join us on the Eastern European barricades as they promised. (A near-future meeting with GALHA…?)

Any Nordic Rainbow Humanist colleagues eager to join us in Sweden, Turkey, Poland, Estonia, Crimea, Belarus, etc. are very welcome. Please get in touch.

Bill Schiller, Nordic Rainbow Humanist international secretary, chairman of Tupilak and secretary
general of the ILGCN Information Secretariat - Stockholm

bill.schiller@sr.se

Nordic Rainbow Humanists

2010-12-19T13:21:00.004+01:00

Nordic Rainbow Humanists

C/O   Tupilak (Nordic rainbow cultural workers) http://www.tupilak.org/ , ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) Information Secretariat - Stockholm     http://www.ilgcn.tupilak.org/ and the Nordic Rainbow Council.
_______________________________________________________________

CALLING NORDIC RAINBOW HUMANISTS                               December 16, 2010

Greetings! The latest information….

1. Nordic Rainbow Humanist Award winner 2010!!??? Suggestions, recommendations as quickly as
    possible!

(Earlier awards have gone to humanists in Britain, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania (which helped launch the Romanian Humanist organization!), Nigeria. Our award to the Nigerian Humanists was finally handed out in person in London this year at a GALHA ceremony. See Erato on ILGCN web site)

2. Our Nordic Rainbow Humanist folder is to be reprinted. Suggestions, additions, new photos? As
    quickly as possible to Stockholm!

3. 2011: As usual, we will include seminars on “Humanists on the Rainbow Barricades” at the coming
    ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) world cultural conference stages:

    May 2-14: Ankara/Istanbul (Rolf Solheim from Norway will once again join us with his multi-
                                                                                                                           media presentation!)
     August 28-September 3: Crimea, Ukraine (More detailed information, dates coming)

We are also offering our usual rainbow humanist seminars at Polish pride events: Krakow (May), Warsaw (July) Wroclaw (New!!! - October) and Poznan (November).

Also: 3rd Baltic Pride in Tallinn, Estonia (June). Minsk, Belarus (August).

Sweden: We hope to have rainbow humanist seminars (or include humanism in our seminars on rainbow culture, international solidarity, etc.) at our traditional co-operation with Gothenburg LGBT Festival (May), Eskilstuna Pride (May), Uppsala Pride (September).

Stockholm Pride: We have been informed that a very good group of Swedish humanists are planning a major event at the coming Stockholm Pride!!

(Of course we offer any assistance but are very happy that this takes pressure off us. We have arranged humanist seminars at Pride House and elsewhere in Stockholm over the last few years with very fine response from the audiences and good discussions – often with visiting Nordic Rainbow Humanists from Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, etc.)

(Last year, our humanist seminar at Stockholm Pride House was one of our five Tupilak, ILGCN, NRH, seminars on rainbow culture, international solidarity, history, etc. For 2011, we hope to expand to other subjects such as “Rainbow Flags in Palestine…?” and “Rainbow Flags among the Roma-Sinti…?”)

4. GALHA – we will once again invite our London-based colleagues to join us on the Eastern European barricades as they promised. (A near-future meeting with GALHA…?)

Any Nordic Rainbow Humanist colleagues eager to join us in Sweden, Turkey, Poland, Estonia, Crimea, Belarus, etc. are very welcome. Please get in touch.

Bill Schiller, Nordic Rainbow Humanist international secretary, chairman of Tupilak and secretary
                                                             general of the ILGCN Information Secretariat - Stockholm

bill.schiller@sr.se

NORDIC RAINBOW COUNCIL MEETING IN HELSINKI

2009-10-07T15:55:00.000+02:00

Helsinki -- This year's Nordic Rainbow Council session took palace in the Finnish capital on September 18 on the sidelines of the 10th Tribade Day & Night Festival -- discussing Nordic cultural and other LGBT co-operation over Nordic borders and beyond.

Special attention was given to the situation in Lithuania because of the anti-LGBT legislation passed there and plans to expand the ban on positive information on homosexuality to the general public, as well as Vilnius -- European Cultural Capital 2009 banning LGBT culture possible spreading to other Eastern "cultural capitals". Support for the next Baltic Pride 2010 in Vilnius as well as Europe Pride in Warsaw next year were also discussed.

Plans continue with a long-range project to give support to colleagues in the Faroe Islands -- possible with a solidarity event in Reykjavik as well as a winter event in Finland's Åland Islands.

Another measure approved was an effort to re-kindle the Swedish Pol-Baltic Network and to find a new co-ordinator if RFSL-Sweden no longer continues with the project.

"Despite our 0-budget economic reality, we are pleased this year to have taken part in Helsinki's Tribade festival, Baltic Pride in Riga, the Baltic solidarity Square in Visby and the Gothenburg Book Fair at the International Square as well as several events in Stockholm," says Bill Schiller, NRC international secretary. "We have also decided to continue with our membership in ILGA trying to raise the membership fee from our network members to replace the earlier contributions from the economically-troubled Tupilak (Nordic cultural workers) now and are pleased that membership in the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) is free."

The 2010 Nordic Rainbow Council meeting will take place in Sweden. The date and site will be announced as soon as possible.
_________________________________

The Nordic Rainbow Council is an informal and 0-membership fee network of organizations and individuals supporting Nordic LGBT co-operation in the Nordic region and beyond, and covers Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Greenland, the Faroes and the Åland Islands.

Rainbow presentations at the Gothenburg Book Fair

2007-08-28T04:50:00.000+02:00

Supported by Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency‘s Baltic Sea Unit – Visby

Nordic rainbow cultural workers ………………………….….

www.tupilak.org info@tupilak.org

Rainbow presentations
at the Gothenburg Book Fair

Thursday, September 27
17.40-18.00 Erkki Otsman, Estonian cabaret artist (large stage)

Rainbow Mingle at Nordic Rainbow Council/Tupilak Stand 18.00- 19.30

Music and poetry: Oyvind Rauset + 1 (Norway),

dekon/rekon - book-burning group (bokbrännargrupp) (Sweden).

Friday , September 28
15.00- 15.20 Rainbows banned in School Rooms (large stage)

17. 20-17.40 Rainbow Battles in the Baltic (large stage)

Saturday, September 29
14.40–15.00 Rainbows knocking at UN Doors (large stage)

17.00-17.30 Rainbows in Muzzles (little stage)

………………………….….

7th Nordic Rainbow Council Workshops at the:

Museum of World Culture (10.00-12.00)

Thursday, September 27:
“Spotlights on Lithuania and Poland”

Friday, September 28:
“Spotlights on Estonia and Latvia”

Saturday, Sept. 29:
“Over the Baltic Rainbow – the yellow, brick road to solidarity”

“Swedish Pol-Balt Network – the path so far, future plans”

Sunday, September 30:
“Rainbow Humanism – challenging religious dragons”

”Culture vs. Rainbow Politics – allies or adversaries?”

“Nordic/Baltic Co-operation with Belarus, Russia”

ILGCN/Tupilak Travelling Art & Photo Exhibition

………………………….….

ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network)

Information Secretariat - Stockholm www.ilgcn.tupilak.org

To Nordic colleagues on both sides of the Baltic Sea:

2007-03-08T15:32:00.001+01:00

NORDIC RAINBOW COUNCIL
Member of the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network)
Member of the ILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c/o Tupilak Box 2315 103 17 Stockholm, Sweden
www.tupilak.se info@tupilak.se

March 8, 2007

To Nordic colleagues on both sides of the Baltic Sea:

Following the very successful raising of the Nordic rainbow flags at the Gothenberg Book Fair last September, we invite you to join us raising the Nordic flags at:

Baltic Square in Visby, July 12-23, 2007

International Square at the
Gothenberg Book Fair, Sept. 27-30, 2007

(*working together with over 60 Swedish solidarity and human rights organizations at the biggest annual cultural events in the entire Nordic region.)

Join us at the Nordic Rainbow Stands and on stage* Help us man the stands and meet the public, and share the registration costs (hopefully none as we are applying for financial grants!), display your information and publications *.discussions, films, poetry, art & photography, invited foreign guests*.under the theme:

"Nordic Solidarity with Rainbows under Siege and Rainbows in Chains -- on the rainbow barricades in Belarus, Russia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania."

Please get back to us if you're interested!

Bill Schiller, international secretary
bill@tupilak.se

Note: Deadline for registration for the
International Square -- March 5
Proposals for stage performances
and presentations -- April 5
______________________________________________________

The Nordic Rainbow Council works together with:

Tupilak (Nordic rainbow cultural workers)

Nordic Rainbow Humanists

ILGCN (International Lebian & Gay Cultural Network)
Information Secretariat - Stockholm.

NORDIC RAINBOW COUNCIL MEETS in SWEDEN

2006-10-29T21:21:00.000+01:00

NORDIC RAINBOW COUNCIL
http://nrc.tupilak.org
Formerly Nordic Homo Council
Member of ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network )
Member of ILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association)
Co-operating across Nordic borders & beyond - Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania

PRESS RELEASE
September 30, 2006

Continued Solidarity with Refugees, Eastern Europe

NORDIC RAINBOW COUNCIL MEETS in SWEDEN

Gothenburg - The annual session of the newly-renamed Nordic Rainbow Council -- this time in this Swedish west coast city on the sidelines of the giant annual international book fair - approved efforts for continued solidarity over Nordic borders, with rainbow immigrants and refugees in the Nordic region and with colleagues on the barricades in Eastern Europe - including Belarus and Russia.

The main priority is to continue to support events on the Eastern side of the Nordic region - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania struggling with hostile and increasingly homophobic forces.

"We agreed to change the "Homo" in our name to "Rainbow" to be more up-to date and to make sure that trans people, bisexuals and other supportive "rainbow-minded" colleagues feel welcome," says Bill Schiller, international secretary of the Council.

2007 Nordic Rainbow Flags to Fly at Gothenburg Fair?

The session also agreed to co-ordinate a joint effort in 2007 to repeat this year's successful pioneering effort of raising Nordic rainbow flags at the International Square - the largest section of the Gothenburg Book Fair, which is the biggest annual cultural event in the Nordicarea. This was made possible with the financial grant from Tupilak (Nordic rainbow cultural workers) in the form of the 2006 Loke Sister's award supporting rainbow cultural projects outside of the Swedish capital.

The Nordic rainbow stand presented books, poetry, CD's, printed information, art and photography - and also co-ordianted two stage presentations on Nordic co-operation with Eastern Europe and with rainbow immigrants and refugees in the Nordic zone combined with highly-appreciated, humor-filled erotic poetry performances.

The Council also agreed to seek further financial support - such as from the Nordic Culture Fund assistance for the Nordic delegation to the 1st Moscow Pride in May, and other institutions. And to send Nordic delegations to the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) world rainbow cultural conference stages in Minsk and Posnan this November, following the first stage in Moscow.

The Council also pledged support to the first Nordic rainbow event in the Åland Islands this December - the "Rainbow Lucia" and to continue searching for projects in the other semi-independent areas of the Nordic region -- Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The session also approved continued membership in the ILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association (with the annual fee partly covered by Tupilak, the Nordic Rainbow Humanists, the ILGCN Information Secretariat in Stockholm and others.

Swedish Pol-Balt Solidarity Network Saluted

In co-operation with Tupilak and the ILGCN Information Secretariat, the Council approved the proposal to grant the 2006 ILGCN "Arco Nordica" award diploma to Sweden's newly-created "Pol-Balt Network" - providing assistance, solidarity and exchanges with colleagues in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Decisions were also taken to keep Council bureaucracy to a minimum, charge no membership fee but instead to seek voluntary contributions, and to search for more Network members even among more local sections of national organizations, since some of these are at times more interested in Nordic and international co-operation than the mother organizations

Earlier Council sessions have taken place in Riga, Tallinn, Tampere, Oslo, Wasa and Stockholm. Next year's session is preliminarily planned for Vilnius.

************************

More Information: info@tupilak.org
Note: Photo available of Gothenburg Tupilak activists, Filip Vrba & Mats Råsmark, at erotic poetry performance at Gothenburg International Book Fair.

************************

1st NORDIC RAINBOWS at GOTHENBERG BOOK FAIR

2006-10-20T20:16:00.000+02:00

NORDIC RAINBOW COUNCIL ( Formerly Nordic Homo Council)
www.nrc.tupilak.se

Member of ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network )

Member of ILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association)

Co-operating across Nordic borders & beyond - Sweden, Denmark,
Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania

____________________________________________

PRESS RELEASE September 25, 2006

"International Square" Solidarity with Eastern Europeans,
Immigrants & Refugees:

1st NORDIC RAINBOWS at GOTHENBURG BOOK FAIR

Gothenburg - The first rainbow flags were raised September 21-23,
2006 at the "International Square" - the largest section of the
giant Gothenburg Book Fair in this Swedish west coast city - at a
colorful stand displaying art work, photography, poems, literature and
publications - and including humor-filled, erotic poetry readings and
happenings.

"Nordic rainbow cultural co-operation and solidarity with
colleagues in Eastern Europe under the title of 'Rainbows in Chains
and under Siege' -- and sharing Nordic rainbows with immigrants and
refugees were the themes of the our stage presentations and in the
information provided at our stand," says Bill Schiller of the Nordic
Rainbow Council.

Thanks to co-operation with RFSU (the Swedish sexual information
federation), the stage presentation on Eastern European barricades
included lawyer Evita Gosa of the Latvian rainbow organization, Mozaika
and Anna Kirey of the LGBT organization LABRYS of Kyrgyzstan.

"Freedom of Expression," Sweden's 'Multi-Cultural Year'

"With the city of Riga banning the Pride Parade again this
year and even worse violent homophobic attacks on Pride events there,
the visible presence of Latvia was especially important to illustrate
the Gothenburg fair's theme this year: "Freedom of Expression,"
adds Schiller.

The stage presentation on immigrants and refugees in the Nordic
area included Ardeshir Bibakabadi of Homan, (Persian-speaking and other
rainbow immigrants) - helping underline the reality that despite
dedicating this year as Sweden's "multi-cultural year," many
rainbow immigrants are often left in the shadows of the Nordic rainbows
celebrated by the native-born.

"There was great interest in our rainbow stand where we
re-discovered old members and recruited new ones, and established
working contact with several other International Square colleagues for
future co-operation," Schiller adds. "We hope to increase the
number of rainbow organizations working together with us next year at
this the biggest annual cultural event in the Nordic region."

Co-hosts of the 2006 stand included Tupilak, (Nordic
organization of rainbow cultural workers), Nordic Rainbow Humanists and
the Stockholm Information Secretariat of the ILGCN (International
Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network). Tupilak's annual "Loke's Sisters'
Award for cultural projects outside of the capital helped make the
rainbow stand a reality.

New Name for 'Nordic Rainbow Council'

On the sidelines of the Gothenburg event, the annual session of
the Nordic Homo Council (see separate press release) discussed ongoing
and future Nordic co-operation in the Nordic region and in Eastern
Europe and approved a proposal to change the name of the Council to the
'Nordic Rainbow Council' to be more inclusive and up-to-date. The
change is to be communicated to the ILGA where the Council is a member.

At the International Square, over 60 exhibitors work with
international issues and development co-operation: NGO's, publishers,
businesses and agencies with a program including Swedish and foreign
guests, performances, debates and images.

The Square also hosts a number of stands and exhibits where the
participating organizations offer information and activities; present
pedagogical tools and travelling tips; sell books and arrange meetings
and book signings with authors and other guests. The middle of the
Square features a big book stand with books from all over the world.

The Square has been a part of the International Book Fair in
Gothenburg since 2000.

***************

TUPILAK - Nordic Rainbow Cultural Workers
info@tupilak.se
www.nrc.tupilak.se

ILGCN Information Secretariat- Stockholm
www.ilgcn.tupilak.se

NORDIC RAINBOW HUMANISTS

NORDIC HOMO COUNCIL 2006 SESSION IN GOTHENBURG

2006-09-07T22:25:00.000+02:00

PRESS RELEASE
September 1, 2006

Stockholm/Gothenburg -- The 2006 session of the Nordic Homo
Council will take place as earlier announced in the Swedish west coast
city on September 23 - on the sidelines of the Gothenburg Book Fair

where the NHC and other Nordic rainbow groups will raise the first

rainbow flags at the 'International Square' - a special zone with
many other solidarity groups.

Discussions will cover proposals to change the name to Nordic
Rainbow Council to make the organization's name more inclusive and
Nordic co-operation at coming ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay
Cultural Network) cultural stages in Posnan (to be visited by a
Swedish-Finnish-Norwegian delegation) and Minsk in November.

Other proposals will deal with the newly-established Nordic
Cultural Fund, a report on the Nordic delegation to Moscow pride
(supported by the Nordic Culture Fund and the Norwegian Embassy), more
cultural co-operation over Nordic borders and beyond and at the next
ILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association) European conference in
Vilnius in 2007.

Continued Membership in ILGCN, ILGA

Another proposal calls for maintaining the continued
"informal" structure of the council, no membership fee and
continued membership in the ILGCN and the ILGA.

"Nordic Homo Council fees to the ILGA are paid through voluntary
contributions - and we really appreciate the largest annual
contributions coming from Tupilak (the organization of rainbow cultural
workers in the Nordic region)," says NHC international secretary, Bill
Schiller. "And we're proud to have received this years Tupilak
"Loke's Sisters Award" to help pay costs for the rent for the
Gothenburg fair's Nordic Rainbow Stand."

Other proposals via e-mail or in person at the session are welcome.

More information: via Tupilak http://www.tupilak.se info@tupilak.se

*******************************

Earlier Nordic Homo Council sessions have taken place in Stockholm,
Wasa, Tallinn, Riga, Oslo and Tampere.

Membership is open to organizations and individuals in Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

*******************************

Nordic Homo Council Sessions 2005 in Norway, Finland

2005-08-01T16:06:00.000+02:00

A member of the ILGA & ILGCN

Information Stockholm, August, 2005

Oslo/Tampere/Stockholm -- This year's Nordic Homo Council sessions in Oslo (June 21st -- on the sidelines of Europride,) and Tampere (July 8th -- part of Finland's rotating Pride) approved a number of new Nordic projects and called for increased Nordic rainbow co-operation – with special emphasis on events on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea.

"We're happy to put the focus on Nordic art and photography at this year's Tupilak art exhibit in Stockholm the week before Pride, host the 3rd Nordic Queer Short Film Festival in the Swedish capital on July 28 -- again with the assistance of the Nordic Council's information office in Stockholm, Norden i Fokus, include a seminar on Nordic co-operation at the Pride House events, and make the Tupilak Cabaret a Nordic event with Swedish, Norwegian, Estonian, Finnish and Icelandic performers, music and art work," says Bill Schiller, NHC information secretary.

The sessions also pledged support to the Moonbow cultural festival in Tallinn August 8-14, 2005 -- including the 2nd stage of the ILGCN world homo cultural conference which was moved to Estonia after Jerusalem postponed its World Pride event until 2006.

Special Attention for Poland, Belarus

The gatherings pledged to make another attempt to win support from Nordic embassies in Poland for future Nordic-Polish rainbow solidarity events, and re-open the doors of the Nordic House in Krakow to Nordic events (the House closed the doors to Nordic cultural events this year during the Krakow rainbow cultural event and described Nordic homo culture as "too controversial."

The sessions pledged support for a major Nordic rainbow cultural festival in Finland next year -- together with the Tribade Night & Day Festival and the Vinokino film festival -- and another Riga Moonbow Festival in 2006.

Special support was pledged for the NHC's "Belarus Moonbow in Exile" festival and conference in Stockholm September 23-24, 2005 -- with participation of colleagues from this Eastern European dictatorship as well as activists from Estonia and Latvia.

Finland’s Pride in Tampere, Sidelines of EuroPride, Oslo 2005

2005-06-02T15:59:00.000+02:00

PRESS RELEASE June 2, 2005

Nordic Homo Council Sessions in Norway and Finland

Stockholm – The sessions of the 5th Nordic Homo Council are being shared this year by two Nordic cities staging very special events: Oslo's EuroPride in June and Tampere – hosting Finland's annual Pride celebrations in July.

"We hope this makes it easier for more members in the vast Nordic region to meet face to face and not just via e-mail," says Bill Schiller, the council's international secretary and chairman of Tupilak, the Nordic organization of lesbian and gay cultural workers.

"We plan on continuing to give special attention to the use of homo culture to combat homophobia and silence and increase co-operation with our members on the eastern side of the Baltic Sea – since the situations for homosexuals in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are the roughest in the Nordic region."

"As a member of the ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association) and the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network), we also want to discuss efforts to strengthen the Nordic rainbow voice in these and other international organizations," Schiller concludes.

The first session of the 2005 meeting will be in Oslo at the Humanist House on the sidelines of EuroPride as part of the Nordic and international solidarity presentation on June 21st and in Tampere at Café Mixei as part of the Nordic presentation on July 9th.

Earlier Nordic Homo Council sessions and seminars have been held
in Stockholm, Riga, Tallinn and Vaasa.

More information: http://www.tupilak.se/

About/ om oss

2004-09-05T21:55:00.000+02:00

Welcome to the Nordic Rainbow Council

….which promotes Nordic co-operation in all areas and gives special attention to colleagues in the Eastern Baltic region and to homo culture as a means of combating homophobia and silence.

Membership is open to organizations and individuals from Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, Finland, Estonia and Denmark. New members and projects are approved at the annual Council session which rotates between Nordic cities.

There is no membership fee.

At sessions in Tallinn, Stockholm, Riga and Vaasa, the Council approved the first Nordic Rainbow Constitution ever as well as working plans of action and support to projects both inside and beyond the Nordic region.

The aim is to share the work load as much as possible in gathering information about groups and individuals interested in Nordic co-operation and in using combined Nordic strength in providing assistance to homosexual colleagues in facing severe homophobia in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

The Council is a member of the ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association) and the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network).

Contact address / kontakt adress
info@nrc.tupilak.org

Calendar/ kalender

2004-08-30T18:46:00.000+02:00

NEWS from the NORDIC HOMO COUNCIL

2004-08-21T15:56:00.000+02:00

4th session -- Vaasa, Finland August 21, 2004

Decisions:

* To continue supporting such Nordic projects as the Nordic Queer Film Festivals. (the 2nd festival in Stockholm 2004 united film festival organizers from Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden.) With Folkets Bio, Kombat and Norden i Fokus information office.

* To support the "Honored to Silence, Honored to Death" Nordic conference in Stockholm October 15-16, 2004 and Gothenberg October 23 about young homosexuals in the immigrant/refugee communities in the Nordic region. With Norden i Fokus.

* To hold a NHC multi-media seminar at Finland's Tampere Pride in 2005 and at the Oslo Europride in June, 2005.

* To send a Nordic delegation to Jerusalem World Pride, 2005.

* To send a Nordic delegation to the Nordic House – Krakow as part of the 2nd Krakow Cultural Days -- May, 2005. (The event in May, 2004 was attacked but not defeated by neo Nazis gangs). (The Swedish Embassy has pledged to continue supporting the event.)

* To increase Nordic participation in the annual Moonbow Human Rights & Homo Culture Festivals on both sides of the Baltic Sea: St. Petersburg-Stockholm-Warsaw-Tallinn-Riga-Vilnius. Minsk to have a "Moonbow in Exile" because of threats from the regime, neo Nazis.

* To make special fund-raising efforts for Iceland (because of the high travel costs) and for Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania to increase these nation's input into homo festivals, prides and other events on both sides of the Baltic Sea. ( Tallink Ferry Lines has already agreed.)

New Members Welcomed; Nordic Awards to Finnish/Swedish Bears, American Singer

New Nordic Homo Council members formally welcomed at the session include Homosexual Socialists (Sweden), Laihia Bears (Vaasa, Finland), NEWSMIX (Stockholm-based news agency) and HumanAid (Gothenberg/ Stockholm). Nordic membership drive is to continue.

The 2004 "Arco Nordica" award for Nordic/international and homo cultural solidarity from the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network) - Nordic, was handed over to the Laihia Bears in an art-and-music-filled ceremony in the forest outside of Waasa. The 2004 award is shared with the Stockholm-based Viking Bears.

The 2004 ILGCN-Nordic "Arco Musica" award - was presented to American singer and musician, Doria Roberts, during the Moonbow Festival in Stockholm, August 1st.

Bill Schiller, NHC international secretary

*************************

Note: The Nordic Homo Council is a member of the ILGA and the ILGCN.

NEWS from the NORDIC HOMO COUNCIL 4th cultural session - Vaasa, August 21, 2004

2004-08-21T15:50:00.000+02:00

(plus e-mail proposals and contributions from those who could not attend))

Decisions:

* To continue supporting such Nordic projects as the Nordic Queer Film Festivals. (the 2nd festival in Stockholm 2004 united film festival
organizers from Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden.) In co-operation with Folkets Bio, Kombat and Norden i Fokus information
office in Stockholm.

* To hold a NHC multi-media seminar at Finland's Tampere Pride in 2005 and at the Oslo Europride in June, 2005.

* To send a Nordic delegation to Jerusalem World Pride, 2005.

* To send a Nordic delegation to the Nordic House homo cultural evening as part of the 2nd Krakow Cultural Days -- May, 2005. (The event in May, 2004 was attacked but not defeated by neo Nazis gangs). (The Swedish Embassy has pledged to continue supporting the event. Other Nordic embassies*.?)

* To increase Nordic participation in the annual Moonbow Human Rights & Homo Culture Festivals on both sides of the Baltic Sea: St.
Petersburg-Stockholm-Warsaw-Tallinn-Riga-Vilnius. Minsk -- "Moonbow in Exile" planned because of the threats from the dictatorship and neo Nazis. See press releases).

* To make special fund-raising efforts for Iceland (because of the high travel costs) and for Estonia, Lativa, & Lithuania to increase these
nation's input into homo festivals, prides and other events on both sides of the Baltic Sea. (Tallink Ferry Lines has already responded
positively.)

New Members Welcomed; Nordic Awards to Finnish/Swedish Bears, U.S. Singer

New Nordic Homo Council members formally welcomed at the session include Homosexual Socialists - Sweden, Laihia Bears - Vaasa, Finland, the Stockholm-based news agency, NEWSMIX, and HumanAid - Gothenberg/ Stockholm. Nordic membership drive is to continue.

The 2004 Nordic award, "Arco Nordica," for Nordic/international and homo cultural solidarity from the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay
Cultural Network) - Nordic, was handed over to the Laihia Bears the day before the Vaasa session in an art-and-music-filled ceremony in the forest outside of Waasa. The 2004 award is shared with the Stockholm-based Viking Bears.

The ILGCN-Nordic - "Arco Musica" award - was presented to American singer and musician, Doria Roberts, during the Moonbow Festival in
Stockholm, August 1st.

Bill Schiller, NHC international secretary

**************************
Note: The Nordic Homo Council is a member of the ILGA and the ILGCN.

NORDIC HOMO COUNCIL 2004 4th cultural session - Vaasa, Finland -- August 21

2004-08-21T14:53:00.000+02:00

A May, 2004 reminder from the *.

(part of 2nd Vaasa Pride & Rainbow Cultural Events)

.... seminars, discussions, art, photography, films, music, performances

Discussions:

1. Nordic Homo Co-operation - from Iceland to Lithuania.

2. Nordic Moonbow and other Culture Festivals 2004.

3. Nordic Queer Film Festivals (2nd in Stockholm July 26-27, 2004
in collaboration with Norden i Fokus, Folkets Bio ).

4. Nordic Rainbow CD's (1st presented in Stockholm January, 2004.)

5. Welcoming new members: Homo Socialists - Sweden, Mea Culpa - Estonia, Lahia Bears Club - Finland, etc.

6. Membership Campaign: how to get national federations and others interested in Nordic co-operation?

7. Nordic Co-operation in Krakow 2005 - follow-up of Nordic House evening during violence-stricken Krakow Culture Days 2004.

8. Nordic caucus at ILGA European regional conference in Budapest, October, 2004 and joint Nordic 'ILGA' projects.

NOTE: Contributions wanted for Nordic Homo Council's ILGA 2004 membership fee:

(Contributions so far: Tupilak - 600 kr., ILGCN-Nordic - 100kr., Nordic Rainbow Humanists -100 kr.)

(c/o Tupilak postgiro 498 37 67-7)

Bill Schiller, Nordic Homo Council international secretary

------------------------------------------------

NORDIC HOMO COUNCIL .... is a member of the ILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association) and the ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network).

* is a network promoting co-operation between members and friends in Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, Finland, Estonia & Denmark.

* has no membership fee.

Note: Earlier cultural sessions: Riga 2001, Stockholm 2002, Tallinn, 2003.

Spring 2004 News for NHC members (and future members):

2004-04-28T14:47:00.000+02:00

* Information meeting about the NHC in Stockholm, January 24 19.00 at Salong Katakomb (Västmannag. 56 Odenplan) * during Tupilak's cultural evening.

(Ongoing discussions with colleagues in other Nordic cities about including an info meeting on the NHC in a cultural event or festival during 2004. Interested*?)

* NHC's membership application to the ILGA has been approved at the world conference in Manila. Any contributions to this year's annual ILGA membership fee would be greatly appreciated.

Note: We have received 500 kr. from Tupilak, l00 kr. from the Nordic Rainbow Humanists, 100 kr. from HAI (homo cultural workers in Nordic Amnesty) * covering 50% so far. (Use Tupilak p.g. 498 37 67 * 7 and mark it NHR-ILGA).

In addition: The NHC and some of its members (Tupilak, etc.) have promised to help with cultural events at the ILGA European regional conference in Budapest in October, 2004. We will also call for a Nordic caucus during the conference to discuss Nordic co-operation and
support for solidarity events beyond the Nordic region). Support is very welcome.

* 4th NHC cultural session (originally to take place in Sweden as decided at the Tallinn, Estonia session in 2003) will take place instead in Vaasa, Finland on August, 21, 2004. (More details coming).

* NHC support has been pledged for the 3rd international rainbow event in St. Petersburg at the end of May, 2004. (Contact us if interested.)

* An update is in process of the "Nordic Rainbow Report" for the Nordic Council's information office on Nordic, international and homo cultural activities of NHC members. (All new contributions welcome).

Bill Schiller, NHC international secretary

_____________________________________________________

Nordic Homo Council is a member of theILGA (International Lesbian & Gay Association) and
ILGCN (International Lesbian & Gay Cultural Network)The Nordic Homo Council is a network promoting co-operation between member groups and individuals in Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, Finland, Estonia & Denmark. Membership is free.

NORDIC HOMO COUNCIL members (and future members):

2004-01-01T14:36:00.000+01:00

News for the spring of 2004:
Information meeting about the NHC in Stockholm,
January 24 19.00 at SALONG KATAKOMB (Västmannagatan 56 Odenplan) -- together with Tupilak's cultural evening.

(Ongoing discussions with colleagues in other Nordic cities about including an info meeting on the NHC in a cultural event, Pride, festival, etc. during the year. If YOU are interested, contact us!)

** NHC's membership application to the ILGA has been approved at the world conference in Manila. Any contributions to this year's annual ILGA membership FEE would be greatly appreciated.

Note: We have received 500 kr. from TUPILAK, l00 kr. from the NORDIC RAINBOW HUMANISTS, 100 kr. from HAI (homo cultural workers in Nordic Amnesty) -- covering 50% so far. (Use Tupilak p.g. 498 37 67-7 and mark it NHR-ILGA).

In addition: The NHC and some of its members (Tupilak, etc.) have promised the organizers to help with cultural events at the ILGA European regional conference in BUDAPEST in October, 2004 -- and will call for a Nordic caucus to discuss Nordic co-operation and support for
solidarity events beyond the Nordic region). Support from other NHC and Nordic ILGA members is very welcome.

4th Cultural Session in Vaasa, Finland on August 21

** 4th NHC CULTURAL SESSION (originally to take place in Sweden as decided at the Tallinn, Estonia session in 2003) will take place instead in Vaasa, Finland , Saturday, August 21, 2004. Details coming.

** NHC support has been pledged for the 3rd international rainbow event in ST. PETERSBURG at the end of May, 2004. Contact us if interested.

** An update is in process of the 'Nordic Rainbow Report' for the Nordic Council's information office on Nordic, international and homo cultural activities of NHC members. All new contributions welcome.