Church in Norway marks name change for transgender person
Helsinki, July 18: A Lutheran church in Norway has held a name change ceremony for a 49-year-old transgender person in what officials said marked the first such event in a place of worship in the Nordic country.
Elin Stillingen lived the first 40 years of her life as a man and legally changed her name and gender last year.
She marked the occasion at Saturday’s ceremony at the medieval Hoff church north of the Norwegian capital, Oslo.
Stillingen said it was particularly important for her that the event took place in a church.
“I’m a member of the Norwegian church, and I’m also about to come out of the closet’ as a Christian, so this ceremony is important to me,” Stillingen told Norwegian broadcaster TV2 ahead of the ceremony Saturday.
The occasion was led by pastor Stein Ovesen who planned the ceremony with the Stensveen Foundation, a Norwegian non-governmental organisation supporting people with gender identity and sexual orientation issues.
“I know that so many are grateful that this event has come true, because this goes deep into the lives of people,” Ovesen told TV2.
However, Ovesen acknowledged that not everyone in Norway approved of marking such an event in a church.
“On the conservative wing, you will find priests who are deeply concerned about what we do today.
But for me this is an important act that expresses the grace and openness that God shows me,” Ovesen told TV2. (AP)
Dozens treated after chemical leak at Texas water park
Houston, July 18:A chemical leak at a Houston-area water park left dozens suffering from minor skin irritation and respiratory issues, authorities said.
Twenty-nine people were taken to local hospitals following the incident at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring on Saturday, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office tweeted.
Thirty-nine others declined to be taken to a hospital after undergoing decontamination procedures.
KPRC-TV reports that some of those who became sick were children, including a three-year-old who was hospitalised in stable condition. The chemicals involved included hypochlorite solution and 35 per cent sulfuric acid, officials said.
“The safety of our guests and team member is always our highest priority and the park was immediately cleared as we try to determine a cause,” Hurricane Harbor Splashtown spokesperson Rosie Shepard said in a statement, according to news outlets.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the park has been closed for the day.”
Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, which they said was contained to one attraction at the park.
“Grateful for the swift action from first responders today at Splashtown,” Houston’s chief elected official, Lina Hidalgo, tweeted. “We’ve issued a closure order to investigate and ensure the park meets all requirements before reopening again.” (AP)