Linda Skage (born 1962)

Translator's Note: This is a machine-assisted translation completed on July 28, 2025. While care has been taken to maintain accuracy, this translation has not yet undergone human review or validation. Please note that specialized terms, historical references, and nuanced content may benefit from expert review.

Rune Sævig from Bergensavisen captured a photo of the couple kissing outside the city hall — a moment that earned him the 'Picture of the Year' award in 1993.

In the interview, Skage talks about growing up in Blomsterdalen and how, from a very young age, she became confident in her sexual orientation and began to express it. She has spent her entire career working in banking — traditionally a conservative environment — and shares several experiences from that context.

She was the first woman, and the first person altogether, to enter into a registered partnership in Bergen at the courthouse (Tinghuset) after it became legally possible, on August 13, 1993. The upcoming ceremony was announced in an interview with Bergensavisen (BA), sparking a media storm. The original proposal from the courthouse was to hold the ceremony in a courtroom, but after protests, the former wedding room was converted into a ceremonial space.

In an excerpt from the interview, Skage recounts the big day when the partnership was formalized and all the attention surrounding it — a moment that was both moving and humorous.

Skage is now remarried and has two children. She has also been active in DNF-48 Bergen and the choir Sapfonia.

The full life history interview is available at Skeivt arkiv, part of the Special Collections at the University Library of Bergen.

Skeivt arkiv met Linda Skage in Bergen, in November 2017.