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Mikael Scott Bjerkeli and transgender people

Mikael Scott Bjerkeli is a conservative transgender activist in Norway. Bjerkeli is co-founder and current executive director of the Harry Benjamin Ressurssenter [Harry Benjamin Resource Center] (HBRS). While HBRS has provided support for trans and gender diverse people, HBRS also promotes transmedicalism, the ex-transgender movement, and strict gatekeeping models of care for trans healthcare.

Bjerkeli spoke on a panel at the 2024 conference organized by anti-trans hate group Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM). Moderated by SEGM co-founder Zhenya Abbruzzese, the panel also included Anne Wæhre, Erica Anderson, Jamie Reed, Ken Zucker, and Riittakerttu Kaltiala.

Background

Mikael Scott Bjerkeli was born on June 30, 1974. Bjerkeli earned a bachelor’s degree from Diakonhjemmet University College in 2010.

Bjerkeli was also a board member of Menneskerettsalliansen [Human Rights Alliance], which closed in 2019.

Bjerkeli married Jannicke Nygaard Bjerkeli in 2015. They have children.

Transgender activism

Bjerkeli has been involved with Harry Benjamin Ressurssenter since its founding as Landsforeningen for transseksuelle in 2000.

Bjerkeli was a member of the local organizing committee for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) 2009 XXI Biennial Symposium held in Oslo. 3:15 The Struggle for Visibility as the Men We Are
Mikael Bjerkeli, Vice President, the Patient Organization in Norway (HBRS); Alex Fossøy

After Norway passed legislation allowing children to change their names and gender markers before starting grade school. Bjerkeli expressed concern about the law:

“Some transgender advocates took the other side, arguing the law was rushed through and opens the door to abuse if people don’t take it seriously. “We have worked so many years to build up an understanding of what this condition is, and who this group is,” said Mikael Scott Bjerkeli, president of the Harry Benjamin Resource Center, an organization helping transgender people receive treatment to transition medically. Bjerkeli cites an instance last year when a Danish man legally changed genders and then disrobed in a female changing room to make a political point. Bjerkeli believes Norway should at least require counseling for persons wanting to change gender.”

Bjerkeli has written a number of op-eds and given interview supporting conservative transgender points of view.

References

Amsrud, Sander Sebastian (February 3, 2026). Transorganisasjon advarer mot å «designe» adferd: – Offentlige ansatte trenger kunnskap, ikke styring [Trans organization warns against “designing” behavior: – Public employees need knowledge, not management]. Subjekt https://subjekt.no/2026/03/02/hbrs-kritiserer-bufdir-adferdsdesign/

Edvardsen, Ingvild; Omland, Ellen (October 4, 2023). Trakk seg fra rapport om kjønnsinkongruens [Withdrawn from gender incongruence report]. NRK https://www.nrk.no/norge/kritisk-til-rapport-om-kjonnsinkongruens-1.16565415

Hanssen, Sturla Smári (December 16, 2022). Kjønnsdebatten er vond og polarisert [The gender debate is bitter and polarized]. Dagsavisen https://www.dagsavisen.no/nyheter/kjonnsdebatten-er-vond-og-polarisert/6860579

Gustafson, Torill Frislid (November 4, 2022). Debatten minner om en barnehage [The debate is reminiscent of a kindergarten]. Subjekt https://subjekt.no/2022/11/04/debatten-minner-om-en-barnehage/

Decaen, Mathilde; Sørlie, Aleksander (February 11, 2020). Vi tar personer med kjønnsinkongruens på alvor [We take people with gender incongruence seriously]. https://www.blikk.no/harry-benjamin-ressurssenter-hbrs-mathilde-decaen/vi-tar-personer-med-kjonnsinkongruens-pa-alvor/184763

Lewis, Mark (September 27, 2016). Norwegians now can change genders legally with a mouse click. Boston Globe https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2016/09/27/norwegians-now-can-change-genders-legally-with-mouse-click/LTRd745qvZ56uOCheX4vzL/story.html

Cowan, Zagria (April 15, 2011). The Harry Benjamin Resource Centre Europe. A Gender Variance Who’s Who https://zagria.blogspot.com/2011/04/harry-benjamin-resource-centre-europe.html

Anti-trans coverage

Crossland, Kiley (October 4, 2016). Norway allows children to legally change gender. Baptist Press https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/norway-allows-children-to-legally-change-gender/

Selected writing by Bjerkeli

Bjerkeli, Mikael Scott (January 1, 2026). Jeg håper 2026 blir året hvor vi tør å gjenåpne rommet for uenighet [I hope 2026 will be the year we dare to reopen the space for disagreement]. Aftenposten https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/i/e787g9/jeg-haaper-2026-blir-aaret-hvor-vi-toer-aa-gjenaapne-rommet-for-uenighet

Bjerkeli, Mikael Scott (November 27, 2025). Vi må kunne stille spørsmål uten å bli diskreditert [We must be able to ask questions without being discredited]. Aftenposten https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/i/y51y8A/ingen-har-hele-fasiten-om-kjoennsinkongruens-derfor-maa-vi-lytte-og-stille-spoersmaal

Bjerkeli, Mikael Scott (November 17, 2025). Behandling av unge med kjønnsinkongruens krever mer enn samtykke [Treatment of youth with gender incongruence requires more than consent]. Aftenposten https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/i/GyvKmq/alle-oensker-aa-hjelpe-barn-som-strever-med-kjoennsidentitet-men-helsehjelp-maa-bygge-paa-kunnskap-ikke-bare-paa-gode-intensjoner English translation via SEGM https://segm.org/treatment-of-young-people-with-gender-incongruence-requires-more-than-consent

Solvang, Benjamin; Bjerkeli, Mikael Scott (May 31, 2023). Kjønnsinkongruens: Behandling krever tydelighet og lederskap fra helsemyndighetene [Gender incongruence: Treatment requires clarity and leadership from health authorities]. Aftenposten https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/i/JQMGMj/kjoennsinkongruens-behandling-krever-tydelighet-og-lederskap-fra-helsemyndighetene

Hansen, Tone Maria; Solvang, Benjamin; Nilsen, Sonja (February 5, 2020). Angrere må tas på alvor [Regretters must be taken seriously]. https://www.blikk.no/harry-benjamin-ressurssenter-hbrs-pasientorganisasjonen-for-kjonnsinkongruens/angrere-ma-tas-pa-alvor/184712

Bjerkeli, Mikael Scott (September 22, 2017). Kjønnsidentitet er ikke svart/hvitt [Gender identity is not black and white]. Sykepleien https://sykepleien.no/meninger/innspill/2017/09/kjonnsidentitet-er-ikke-svarthvitt

Resources

Harry Benjamin Ressurssenter (hbrs.no)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Flickr (flickr.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Christianssand Protestfestival [Protest Festival] (protestfestivalen.no)

Aftenposten (aftenposten.no)