Siri Kvalheim (1960-2018)

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 Please note that specialized terms, historical references, and nuanced content may benefit from expert review.

Over several years, Kvalheim was one of the most prominent and visible activists in the capital. She was part of the leadership group at Metropol, took part in public outreach, and organized demonstrations. At the same time, she gradually became a key figure in the work on the Partnership Act.

In the interview, Kvalheim talks about growing up in Bergen and coming out as a lesbian while attending folk high school in the early 1980s.

After that, she settled in Oslo and became part of—and active in—the queer community. She also shares insights into how activist work was organized and the resistance they faced, particularly from religious groups.

An excerpt from the interview is available in the window below, where Kvalheim recounts how she was outed by none other than Kim Friele.

The full interview is available at the Queer Archive (Skeivt arkiv), part of the Special Collections at the University Library of Bergen.

Kvalheim has also donated her private archive to us.

The Queer Archive met Siri Elisabeth Kvalheim in Oslo in January 2018. She passed away unexpectedly later that same year.