March is a month of transition in queer Iceland. As the winter gradually loosens its grip, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The days are perceptibly longer, promising the imminent return of sunlight and warmth. Despite the lingering chill and sporadic snow, March holds its own charm for those visiting or residing in Iceland. While snow may still cloak much of the landscape, March marks the beginning of a gradual thaw. It’s a time when the country emerges from its winter hibernation, awakening to the promise of spring. For LGBTQ+ people, this transitional period offers a uni ..read more

A groundbreaking cultural event is set to weave a vibrant thread through the heart of Icelandic tradition by introducing the country’s first non-binary folk costume. Spearheaded by local organizer Anna Karen and internationally acclaimed non-binary activist Fredy Clue, this innovative project aims to challenge traditional gender norms and foster a more inclusive cultural landscape. Local organizer Anna Karen, here seen representing Reykjavík’s Traditional Dance Society Þjóðdansafélag Reykjavíkur at The Europeade dance festival in Gotha, Germany. Folk costumes in Iceland, much like in many coun ..read more

Kaśka Paluch first came to Iceland on a journalism assignment, since then she has built a life she never thought possible. GayIceland spoke with the Polish musician and artist about her new music project and her relationship with her home country. Inspiration for Kaśka’s new musical project Noise from Iceland, came from meeting a visually impaired tourist while leading a tour in the Raufarhólshellir lava cave. “She opened my eyes to the idea that Iceland has more to offer than just visuals; it’s a place of rich sounds and textures,” she says. “This encounter made me curious about capturing Ice ..read more

February is often a month where things start to seem a little less bleak. The million weeks of January are behind us and the days begin to get longer, reminding us that there will, eventually, be some sun again. It’s a shorter month but still one that can pack a bit of fun if you happen to be in Iceland. Iceland is still typically covered in snow for most of February and it’s still a month that has much more darkness than daylight. This is a great time to visit Iceland if you want to catch the famous Northern Lights. February is also one of the less crowded months of the year when it comes to ..read more

In a first-of-its-kind event last January, Samtökin ’78 hosted a casual happy hour meetup at Aldamót bar in Reykjavik, specifically tailored for members of the LGBT+ community aged 60 and above. We caught up with Þorbjörg Þorvaldsdóttir, the project manager of this initiative, and spoke with Ragnhildur Sverrisdóttir, one of the participants, to get a closer look at this crucial gathering that ultimately led to the decision to create an association for seniors. GayIceland: “What is the main purpose of the meeting for senior LGBT+ individuals, and what benefits does it bring to the community ..read more

Icelandic Filmmaker Erlingur Thoroddsen reflects on his latest horror film, ‘The Piper,’ that just premiered in Icelandic cinema. With a new year comes new resolutions, new perspectives, new goals, but also new films. 2024 is set to be an interesting year in cinema; most notably because of the massive writers’s strikes of last year. A side effect of these historic strikes has meant that lots of film productions were delayed, shelved or even cancelled altogether, leaving the cinema going public wondering what to expect for this year. January 2024 is gifting us with a new heightened horror film ..read more

As the world prepares for an Olympic year, one Icelander, Sveinn Sampsted, has been working hard to make the world of sports safer and more inclusive for queer people. Sports fans from all over the world will turn their eyes towards Paris this summer for the 33rd Olympic Games. A lot has changed about the world in the many years since the first modern olympics; one notable change is that societies are slowly starting to realise that there is a need for queer people to feel like they are welcomed and belong in the world of sports. Sveinn Sampsted is working hard to make the world of sports safe ..read more

Reykjavík Pride’s new president seeks to improve on a good thing. By now it is probably common knowledge that Reykjavík Pride is one of Iceland’s largest festivals, sometimes even rivaling the number of attendees for Independence Day celebrations. Reykjavík Pride is a lot of things–a celebration, a protest, a show of solidarity, a demonstration of allyship, a concert and a party–and naturally, it takes many hands to keep things running smoothly. Amazingly, Reykjavík Pride is run almost entirely by volunteers. One of those is its newly elected president, Helga Haraldsdóttir. She has been involv ..read more

Writer Vigdís Grímsdóttir uses the fantastical to reveal injustice. Vigdís Grímsdóttir is a Fairy Queen, you read it here first! She lives in a two-storey boulder (OK a concrete house clad with pebble dash) and puts a spell on her guests. True story. Journalist Ingibjörg Rósa describes her encounter with the award-winning writer, whose queer novel spread ripples across Icelandic society in the 1990 – now she‘s joining the Christmas Book Flood with a fairy tale. Writer Vigdís Grímsdóttir is an icon in Icelandic literature; her 1989 novel My name is Ísbjörg, I am a Leo, had a deep impact on a wh ..read more

Iceland’s Bear Association recently donated the proceeds of their festival to Trans Ísland. GayIceland speaks with representatives from both groups to find out what motivated the gift, what it feels like to receive such a gift at this time, and the importance of community support. In an era where self-expression and identity are at the forefront of societal conversation, the significance of community-based support for trans and non-binary individuals cannot be overstated. Despite decades of progress for LGBTQI+ people, trans and non-binary people still face a significantly higher suicide risk ..read more