Growing Support for Gender Identity Diversity
The brief finds that half of the population believes it should be accepted that some people identify as something other than "woman" or "man." 35 % strongly agree with this, while 18 % somewhat agree. Women are more open to this than men – 63 % of women support this view, compared to 42 % of men.
– The survey clearly demonstrates growing support for gender identity diversity, although notable gender differences remain, says Mari Teigen, one of the researchers behind the brief.
Debate Surrounding a Third Legal Gender
When the discussion turns to the introduction of a third legal gender, there is greater hesitation. Only 21 % support the idea, while 34 % are either strongly or somewhat opposed. The rest either responded "neutral" or "don't know," indicating uncertainty around what a third legal gender would entail.
– The results suggest that while people are more willing to accept gender identity diversity, they are less inclined to support a legal reform like the introduction of a third gender, explains Ragni Hege Kitterød, the second researcher behind the brief.
Younger and More Educated Groups Are More Positive
Kitterød highlights that attitudes toward both gender identity diversity and the idea of a third legal gender vary significantly by age and education level. Younger individuals and those with higher education tend to be more positive. For instance, 42 % of women and 20 % of men under the age of 30 support the introduction of a third legal gender, compared to just 15 % of women and 12 % of men over 67.
Political Divides
Political affiliation also plays a major role in shaping opinions on these issues. Voters on the left, especially those supporting the Red Party (Rødt), the Socialist Left Party (SV), and the Green Party (MDG), are the most positive toward both gender identity diversity and the introduction of a third legal gender. On the right, particularly among Christian Democratic Party (KrF) and Progress Party (FrP) voters, support is much lower.
– The question of a third legal gender is politically charged and reflects broader views on gender and equality, says Teigen.
An Issue for the Future
While the acceptance of gender identity diversity is on the rise, the findings suggest that the question of a third legal gender is still relatively new and remains controversial. The brief indicates that it may take time before these issues become more widely accepted.
– It will be interesting to follow how attitudes on these issues evolve as public debate and awareness increase, Teigen concludes.