Signe Fyhn (born 1951)

Translator's Note: This is a machine-assisted translation completed on May 23, 2025. While care has been taken to maintain accuracy, this translation has not yet undergone human review or validation.

Fyhn began her clerical career in Svolvær in 1982, and later served at Lilleborg Church for over 25 years. During the final two and a half years before her retirement in 2018, she also held the position of parish priest for the newly merged Torshov and Lilleborg parish. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was actively involved in the Open Church Group, serving as a priest at St. Olav Chapel.

Throughout her professional life, Fyhn has been affiliated with the Church. In our interview with her, she reflects on her upbringing and how she became involved in a Christian environment, despite not having a religious background at home. She also shares experiences from her time as a theology student and from her first posting in Lofoten.

Fyhn was already employed at Lilleborg Church when she entered into a registered partnership with Astri Lunden in 2001.

A planned episcopal visitation in 2007 was postponed due to the parish council’s dissatisfaction with Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme’s statements on homosexuality. For several years, the congregation had maintained an open and inclusive stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals in the Church. The Oslo Fagottkor (Gay Men’s Chorus) originated at Lilleborg Church, where they held rehearsals and, as part of their rental agreement, performed during church services.

In an excerpt from the interview, Fyhn recounts the first church service she led after entering into the partnership. During the post-service coffee hour, she received a wide range of reactions to the news.

The full interview with Signe Fyhn is part of the collections at the Queer Archive (Skeivt arkiv) and is available at the University Library in Bergen.

Skeivt arkiv met with Signe Fyhn in Oslo in September 2021.