Iceland, Europe

Laws against homosexuality were repealed in 1940. There is an equal age of consent set at 14 years of age since 1992. Iceland is culturally related to Scandinavia and is a very liberal country concerning gay rights. The majority of the public is supportive of homosexuality and gay pride parades are held every August. Civil Unions between same sex couples became legal in 1996. There are also adoption laws, which include the right to adopt your partners' biological children. Hereto on June 27, 2006, a new law went into force, making same-sex couples eligible for all adoption and insemination purposes. Despite its small population, Reykjavik has a visible gay scene, with some bars and cafes as well as places with mixed gay and straight crowds. Elsewhere in Iceland, however, the sparse population means there is no gay scene, although LGBT people live everywhere.

 

 

Bishop of Iceland issues overdue apology to gay people for church’s ignorance on same-sex marriage

The Bishop of Iceland has apologised to the gay and lesbian community for discrimination against same-sex marriage by the country’s National Church. Agnes Sigurðardóttir, who took office as the Bishop of Iceland in 2012, made the apology on the Icelandic talk show Kastljós on Tuesday, October 29, in response to questions about her predecessor Karl… Read more »

Iceland has made it illegal to pay women less than men

A new law in Iceland making it illegal to pay women less than men came into effect on January 1, 2018. Companies will now have to obtain certification for demonstrating equal pay. Iceland has been ranked the best in the world for gender pay equality for 9 years in a row.Iceland has made it illegal… Read more »

How cute is this Pride-inspired rainbow brick road in Iceland?

The rainbow path is one of the ways the small town of Seyðisfjörður shows support for its local Queer Parade As if Iceland wasn’t picturesque enough, tourists and Instagrammers are loving a recently painted rainbow brick path. It can be found in the town of Seyðisfjörður in eastern Iceland. Iceland is known for being particularly… Read more »

Iceland drops in annual ranking of LGBT rights

Rainbow Europe, the annual map of ILGA Europe shows that Iceland only complies to 47%  of the requirements of the ILGA compared to 59% in 2016. The map is an Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe. In order to improve the legal and policy… Read more »

The Importance of Reykjavik Pride

Reykjavik Pride has come to an end. After almost a full week of all kinds of events peaking with the Saturday Reykjavik Pride Parade we have to give the organizers and participants thumbs up for all their effort and hard work. We really appreciate it and so do the tens of thousands who, with their… Read more »

Rainbow Reykjavik…Coming Soon!

Coming soon…Rainbow Reykjavik

World’s first openly gay government leader retires from politics

Reykjavik, Iceland — The world’s first elected openly gay head of government has retired. Johanna Sigurdardottir, 70, ended her political career on Saturday, capping 35 years of public service in Iceland, where she served as Prime Minister since 2009. A social democrat and Iceland’s longest-serving member of Parliament, Forbes listed Sigurdardottir among the 100 Most… Read more »

Iceland PM asked to meet with gay rights activists in Chinese visit

Iceland’s prime minister has been asked to meet with the parents of gay children during her visit to China. Johanna Sigurdardottir, the world’s first openly gay prime minister, is due in the country next week. The Xinhua news agency reports Sigurdardottir and her wife Jonina Leosdottir have been asked to meet with members of PFLAG… Read more »

Reykjavik mayor shows pride for Pussy Riot at gay parade

Iceland mayor Jon Gnarr wears pink dress and balaclava in support of pro-gay Russian punk group on trial in Russia The mayor of Reykjavik dressed in a pink dress and balaclava during Iceland’s gay pride parade to support Russian female punk band Pussy Riot. Standing on the float marked with the words ‘Gayor’, Jon Gnarr… Read more »

Reykjavik prepares for February gay festival

Iceland’s capital city is inviting gay people from around the world to attend its International LGBT Festival from 16-19 February. The Rainbow Reykjavik Event Team along with tour operators Pink Iceland and Reykjavik Excursions, have put together a programme of events and tours. Audur Halldorsdottir from Visit Reykjavik said: “We are really excited about hosting… Read more »

Iceland News & Reports

 1 An Icelandic Battle of Wildlife Versus Voltage 7/02 (background story) 2 Gay Iceland–travel story 5/05 3 Iceland’s Queer Hotspot 12/07 4 Gay rights group pays tribute to Bertie Ahern 4/08 5 Icelandic politician may become world’s first lesbian Prime Minister 1/09 6 First lesbian prime minister wins Iceland election 4/09 7 Iceland turns out… Read more »