Tonje Gjevjon (born 1967)
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.
Since 2017, Gjevjon has been one of the most visible—and controversial—voices in the public debate on transgender issues in Norway. In her youth, she was also part of the lesbian subculture, particularly at the venue Potta.
In the interview, Gjevjon speaks about her upbringing, during which she defied most norms for how girls were expected to behave. She was what one might call a tomboy, interested in football and wrestling. At the age of 16, she came into contact with lesbian communities and was warmly welcomed. Places like Potpurriet (commonly known as Potta) in Oslo became important to her, and she eventually helped organize club nights there.
She later trained as an artist. She made her debut at the National Autumn Exhibition (Høstutstillingen) in 2005 with a video piece and two photographs, and has since participated in the Autumn Exhibition and other group exhibitions such as the Eastern Norway Exhibition (Østlandsutstillingen) on several occasions. She also served as chair of the Akershus Art Center from 2006 to 2011, and of the Association of Visual Artists in Oslo and Akershus from 2009 to 2011.
In 2007, she founded The Hungry Hearts Performance Band, which participated in Melodi Grand Prix in 2016.
In 2017, she wrote her first article on transgender issues, Freedom of Speech—But Not for Everyone, following the disinvitation of Julie Bindel from a women’s conference organized by the Socialist Left Party (SV).
Since then, Gjevjon has become a prominent advocate for the view that there are only two sexes, and a vocal opponent of the right to self-identify one’s gender. She has played a central role in a highly polarized public discourse on transgender topics in recent years.
In an excerpt from the interview, Gjevjon reflects on how important the gay and lesbian subculture was to her during her youth.
The full interview is available in our reading room. Skeivt Arkiv interviewed Tonje Gjevjon in Oslo, October 2024.