Iceland is not a queer Utopia

Iceland has fallen far behind the other Nordic countries regarding laws which ensure that LGBTI people have legal rights. The ILGA-Europe’s 2016 Rainbow Europe chart, published this week reveals an increasingly unequal picture of developments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people across Europe and that Iceland is now in 14th place regarding the legalised rights of queer people.

“I don‘t believe that one committee is going to cover all the sections where we have fallen behind, but it‘s an excellent first step. We hope these changes in the law will be executed in the next few years; we certainly don‘t want to fall further behind. And if we don‘t change these laws within the next year we will be even further down the Rainbow chart next year. It‘s worrying that we have stagnated in these matters and we need to change it fast.“
“If we don‘t change these laws within the next year we will be even further down the Rainbow chart next year,“ says Kitty Anderson, the International Secretariat for Samtökin ’78, the national organisation of Iceland and chair of Intersex Iceland.

“One of the reasons is that Iceland has been scoring too high on the chart in the past,“ says Kitty Anderson, the International Secretariat for the queer organisation of Iceland, Samtökin ’78, and chairperson of Intersex Iceland, asked why Iceland is doing so poorly this year. “The Rainbow chart looks at the legal situation of LGBTI people all over Europe, and only the legal situation, and in the past Iceland has been listed as one of the countries where it is illegal to fire people from their jobs for being queer. But when the lawyers looked closer at it, they found out that there is no such law in Iceland. This misunderstanding stems from the fact that Iceland is one of the countries where society accepts LGBTI people the most and nobody would ever think that it was within the limits of the law to fire people for being queer. It shows that the acceptance of society is further ahead than the lawmakers.”

Kitty says that the other main reason for the falling of Iceland on the Rainbow chart is not that it been doing worse than before but because other nations have been doing things better, especially in the matters of trans people. “Malta has one of the most progressive law regarding intersex people in the world and is now leading the chart, after having been in the third place last year.“

Apart from not being progressive enough in making the legal situation of trans and intersex people better Iceland is also sorely lacking in other areas. “We are now 5% behind Norway, Sweden and Finland on the chart and 10% behind Denmark, which is leading in LGBTI rights in the Nordic countries. It‘s also interesting to see that countries like Austria and Croatia are now ahead of us, and Greece and Ireland are getting close. The countries that we compare ourselves to, like Holland, UK and Belgium for example, are ahead of us.“

“Many European countries are ahead of us in legal issues for queer people and all the Nordic countries … are way ahead of us. We are doing the worst.“

Kitty hopes that a committee on queer matters that the minister of welfare, Eygló Harðardóttir, founded in 2014 will hand in its conclusions shortly, and hopefully new laws will follow, but she is adamant that we have to do much better in the legal sector, especially regarding the legal rights of trans and intersex people. “One of the things measured on this chart is discrimination in the educational system and here we only have laws that forbid discrimination against gay people, there is no mention of trans or intersex people. The other factor where we are doing poorly is in the health system. We don‘t get one point in that section. There is no specific mention of LGBTI people within laws about health services in Iceland.“

Asked if these are worrying results, Kitty says that of course it is a matter of concern that we are falling behind the countries that we compare ourselves to in securing the legal rights of LGBTI people. “There seems to be a tendency to regard laws about equal marriage rights as some kind of victory and that the battle is won. For sure Iceland is doing well when it comes to family matters for queer people, for the most part anyway, but that does not mean they have equal rights on all accounts.“

What has to be done to bring on the necessary changes? “There is actually a lot that needs to be done here in Iceland. We need strong legal frameworks regarding workplaces, the school system, health services, and we need to act quickly to bring on some action plan to change the current

Yes and no. Iceland has done an excellent job in marketing itself as a queer Utopia and in many aspects it is. Queer tourists here don‘t need to worry about being denied service in hotels or restaurants because they are queer, or being attacked on the streets. A large part of people living under the queer umbrella here do have more rights than in many other places. On the other hand, there is no one under the queer umbrella that ticks all the boxes of fell legal protections in Iceland. We are not an example for anyone in these matters. Many European countries are ahead of us in legal issues for queer people and all the Nordic countries, which we consider ourselves a part of, are way ahead of us. We are doing the worst. That‘s not how we want to be seen.“
“Iceland has done an excellent job in marketing itself as a queer Utopia and in many aspects it is… On the other hand, there is no one under the queer umbrella that ticks all the boxes of fell legal protections in Iceland. We are not an example for anyone in these matters.“

situation. We need laws that grant all LGBTI people protection and equal rights in every sector of society. Even though we pride ourselves on our progressive and liberal views in these matters, the laws are still far behind the public opinion. That has to change.“

Iceland has prided itself on being some kind of Utopia for queer people, are we deluding ourselves? “Yes and no. Iceland has done an excellent job in marketing itself as a queer Utopia and in many aspects it is. Queer tourists here don‘t need to worry about being denied service in hotels or restaurants because they are queer, or being attacked on the streets. A large part of people living under the queer umbrella here do have more rights than in many other places.

On the other hand, there is no one under the queer umbrella that ticks all the boxes of fell legal protections in Iceland. We are not an example for anyone in these matters. Many European countries are ahead of us in legal issues for queer people and all the Nordic countries, which we consider ourselves a part of, are way ahead of us. We are doing the worst. That‘s not how we want to be seen.“

Do you think that the conclusions of the aforementioned committee will set these things right? “I don‘t believe that one committee is going to cover all the sections where we have fallen behind, but it‘s an excellent first step. We hope these changes in the law will be executed in the next few years; we certainly don‘t want to fall further behind. And if we don‘t change these laws within the next year we will be even further down the Rainbow chart next year. It‘s worrying that we have stagnated in these matters and we need to change it fast.“

More on Iceland’s status in the report here. Further info on the map here and here.

The report’s ‘Rainbow Index’ assesses the performance of 49 European countries under six wide-ranging categories regarding LGBTI rights. Iceland comes in fourteenth – as compared to twelfth on 2014 and ninth in 2013.
The report’s ‘Rainbow Index’ assesses the performance of 49 European countries under six wide-ranging categories regarding LGBTI rights. Iceland is in 14th place but was in 12th place in 2014 and 9th in 2013.

Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
    - award-winning chocolate maker

      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

      Our creative flavors are carefully crafted by meticulous chocolate makers. The cacao beans are roasted, winnowed, ground, and refined into melty-smooth chocolate.

      Omnom’s process is one of constant exploration, invention, and experimentation. If it doesn’t please us, if something isn’t absolutely delicious, there’s no reason to be doing it. So, we always start with our taste buds and follow our instincts. Our team searches for the finest ingredients in the world and new ways to improve chocolate. This obsession with knowing where our ingredients come from has led us around the corner to dairy farms in the Icelandic countryside and all the way to rainforest cacao farms of Nicaragua.

      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

        Our unique position at the center of the capital markets allows us to see firsthand how these values have redefined corporate culture and success, deepening and accelerating our own commitment to champion inclusive growth and prosperity, as we strive to create more equitable opportunities to help people of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Most notably, we published our diversity statistics for the first time in 2020. These metrics serve as a quantitative assessment of where we are today and help determine what strategies we need to adopt to enhance diversity in the workplace. We recognize that we have much work to do, but we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture—one that reflects the communities in which we live, allows all employees to be their true, authentic selves and fosters individual growth and achievement.

        As we move forward together, we will continue advancing diverse ideas and perspectives that help fulfill the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous world. We aim to set the pace for rethinking capital markets and economies anywhere and everywhere. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
        comes from 2.000 meters within the earth where seawater and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of porous lava and searing heat. Propelled by extreme pressure, the water ascends to the earth’s surface, emerging enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the elements that endow Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater with its radiant, healing properties.

        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
        geothermal lagoons, a subterranean spa, a renowned line of skin care, a thriving research center, and a wealth of spa and refreshment facilities.

        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

        Landsbankinn’s strategy is to provide comprehensive financial services that meet customer’s needs. It emphasizes providing exemplary service to customers, developing e-banking for their convenience, increasing the efficiency of support functions, modernizing its technology and ensuring effective utilization of its balance sheet.

        The bank’s vision is to be exemplary and its role is to be a trusted financial partner.

        Special emphasis is placed on promoting a performance-oriented culture in the bank. To follow up on the implementation of this strategy, the bank has defined key goals which are measured regularly to determine progress. These goals include, for example, customer satisfaction and loyalty, profitability, cost efficiency and the correlation between risk appetite and employee satisfaction.

        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

          Macland is located at Laugavegur 23 (101, Downtown Reykjavik)
          For all your Apple needs. We are here.

          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

          Ísey skyr builds on this remarkable legacy. It was some of those very same women, the recipients of their mothers’ expertise, who, around 90 years ago, taught Icelandic dairy scientists the art of skyr-making. The production process is more high-tech these days, and the quality standards more rigorous. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Protein rich, fat-free, creamy and delicious – Ísey skyr is as relevant to consumers now as it was all those centuries ago.
          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

          Contact Us


          PGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20vbWFwcy9lbWJlZD9wYj0hMW0xNCExbTEyITFtMyExZDI3ODQyLjM0NzA2NDA3OTU4ITJkLTIxLjkwMDg1MDg1NzkxODQyITNkNjQuMTQxNzA3ODE2NzAyMDEhMm0zITFmMCEyZjAhM2YwITNtMiExaTEwMjQhMmk3NjghNGYxMy4xITVlMCEzbTIhMXNlbiEycyE0djE0MzMzMzc5MTUyMjYiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyPSIwIiBzdHlsZT0iYm9yZGVyOjAiPjwvaWZyYW1lPg==
          Thank You. We will contact you as soon as possible.