How an arctic Pride in Senja, Norway changed my perspective

Timing is everything on Senja, Norway’s second largest – but still relatively untouched – island.

Come in winter, and the only light you’ll see is that which reflects off the blankets of snow covering every surface, or the Northern Lights, which are then at their most vibrant. Arrive during the island’s summertime (basically, just July), and you won’t find consistent Mediterranean heat, but you’ll still get beach lounging: Ersforden beach, lined by cloud-scraping mountains, is one the island’s hotspots.

Or, come in late August like me, and you might just stumble upon the local Pride march, one of the world’s only Pride events to take place above the Arctic Circle. If you’re used to Pride in London or Brighton Pride, Senja Pride will come as a culture shock. There’s no Mariah Carey perfor