Iceland’s queer community says Pride remains vital

Morgunblaðið spoke to members of Iceland’s queer community about Queer Days and the Pride Parade, with those interviewed highlighting their importance, the continuing fight for rights and the joy surrounding the celebrations.

Daníel Oliver, a singer and restaurateur in Vík, said Queer Days were a particularly enjoyable occasion. Although some people continued to spread hatred, he said Icelandic society was generally tolerant.

“I felt society had become fairly open and tolerant, but there has been some backlash in recent years,” Daníel said. He attributed much of it to hateful individuals on social media and said efforts to combat prejudice and online hate speech needed to continue.

Daníel said the fight for rights remained important and that people could best contribute by being open to dialogue, visible and living their best lives.

Chemical engineer Anna Sif Mogensen and aircraft engineer Ástríður Þóra Viðarsdóttir said Queer Days and the Pride Parade had great personal significance. Neither found it difficult to come out, saying their families and friends had been highly supportive.

“We were both exceptionally lucky that our families and friends showed us so much support and welcomed us with open arms,” Anna Sif said. She noted that others in the community had experienced far more difficult situations when coming out.

Ástríður said the two women felt fortunate to be queer in Iceland, where tolerance was greater than in many other places. She said they had noticed negative changes on social media and among younger people, adding that Iceland had made significant progress but could not stop fighting for equality.

Food blogger Albert Eiríksson said Queer Days and the Pride Parade were a week devoted to celebration. He said prejudice still existed, but that hostility towards gay men and lesbians was no longer widely accepted.

Albert said he had not personally experienced prejudice after coming out in 1999. He was living in his hometown of Fáskrúðsfjörður at the time and said he had encountered goodwill.

Sara Dögg Svanhildardóttir, head of education and information at ASÍ, said Queer Days had always held great personal significance and a special place in her heart. She has attended the Pride Parade since it began.

Sara Dögg said it was joyful and beautiful to live in a society able to hold a full week celebrating queer visibility with such a varied programme.