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Norwegian Lesbian Couple Save 40 Teenagers, Ignored By Press

August 04, 2011 8:09 am by Heather Clisby in Life
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This post follows up the news that a married female couple managed to save 40 teenagers during the horrible massacre in Norway. It goes further to ask: Why does their sexual orientation even matter? And why was the story ignored by the mainstream media?

"Several people have asked why it’s necessary to report that it was a married lesbian couple that committed this heroic deed. You never hear 'A straight firefighter saved a family from a burning building.' I agree. You don’t hear in the press when someone is straight and does something good. You also don’t hear when someone is straight and does something bad. But when someone who is LGBT does something bad, you can BET that their sexual orientation or gender identity is one of the first important facts of the story."

 

Hege Dalen and Toril Hansen

Image credit: Maija Tammi.

Read the full post on Talk About Equality.

Read more from Norwegian Lesbian Couple Save 40 Teenagers, Ignored By Press at Talk About Equality

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GaelMc
GaelMc 5 pts

I have not heard any of the rescuers identified, not by name or profession so why should sexual orierntation be the trigger for recognition? It probably was inconsequential, as I would think the couple would want it to be.

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ButterflyLady
ButterflyLady 5 pts

I think we should concentrate on the 'good' that was done..... and not anybody's sexual orientation. What has 'that' got to do with anything?!!!! Thank you to those 2 lovely ladies who did what they did!

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Conversation from Facebook

LipstickandPolitics
LipstickandPolitics

To look on the bright side - it seemed to take a few weeks for all the heroic stories around 9/11 to emerge. Perhaps this story is just beginning to get attention after the horror and shock of what happened that day. It's also not our country so, as big a story as this is, it isn't as important as it is in Norway. Lots of American news stories were overshadowed because of the budget crisis. All that said, it's an inspiring story and more people need to hear it!

Elisabeth Halse
Elisabeth Halse

Well, in the Norwegian newspapers, there has been stories about all those brave people that sailed out and saved several teenagers, despite the obvious danger in the situation. The fact that it is not mentioned that some of these brave people were lesbians, could also be, because that this is not such a big deal anymore - thank goodness! (not that it is not an issue, but it's not a big issue - like I think it is in the US)

Nancy Nicholson Simioni
Nancy Nicholson Simioni

I would take a more positive spin on it. IF they had reported that it was a lesbian couple who saved the kids, THAT would have received too much attention and taken away from the seriousness of the story itself.
And a 2nd positive reason could be that a lesbian couple does not merit as much attention anymore: a GOOD thing! There has been more acceptance, and it's not as news worthy.
Remember back when anytime a woman was promoted it made the news? Well, now it's common so it is not such an attention-grabber. Again, a GOOD thing.

Angie Rapids
Angie Rapids

The media does not tell lots of things. With the current situation of the US economy, unemployment and political turmoil I find the news story interesting but not enough to take thespotlight off current events. I find it interesting that because it was a lesbian couple other peple think it should be headline news.

Allison Currie
Allison Currie

The press covers what they think will sell...you never hear about the hundreds of dog bites/attacks a month by various breeds of dogs but if there is a chance the dog was a "pitbull" or bulldog mix it makes the front page. Its not right (and people really need to educate themselves from other sources since most news should be taken with a grain of salt) but its business unfortunatley. Almost all of what we are fed by the media is slanted to make the most sellable story, not to be fair or even tell the truth.

Sandy Fults
Sandy Fults

Because mainstream media is all about fear... that is how they keep everyone plugged in, by scaring them. Unfortunately, in the media, love does not sell!