Ole Johan Carlsen (1944-2018)

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 Please note that specialized terms, historical references, and nuanced content may benefit from expert review.

A representative of the everyday lived experience of a gay man from his generation. Not affiliated with any organizations, apart from attending parties and gatherings organized by DNF-48.

In the interview, Carlsen talks about his youth, when he and a few friends formed a small group of queer individuals to create a social community. They spent time together in Tønsberg, but also frequently traveled to Oslo to visit queer venues. He also shares memories of social life in Vestfold.

An excerpt from the interview can be viewed in the video window below, where Carlsen tells the story of a tradition among some of the boys: giving each other girls’ names.

“Among some of the boys, it was common to give each other girls’ names—that’s how Bitten and Ruttemor came about. It sometimes led to comical situations when we were out on the town, as it was easy to forget which name we used for each other where.”

Skeivt arkiv met Ole Johan Carlsen in Tønsberg, September 2017. He passed away the following year.