New dad proceeds with gender transition

One of this year’s most travelled, and heart-warming, articles of GayIceland was the story of Henrý Steinn, a new dad in the North of Iceland, who happened to be the first Icelandic man to give birth during a gender transition process. The story was picked up by media all over the world, including UK’s Daily Mail, Independent and Metro as well as Turkey’s Cumhuriyet, the Indonesian Bangka Pos, Portugal’s 24Horas, Spain’s La Gaceta and Sweden’s Nyhether24.

Since the article was published in early May, the baby girl has been given the name Védís Bára Þórisdóttir – Bára after one of her grannies – and is thriving well, hates avocado intensely and gets around on her backside. Her dads are looking forward to celebrating her first Christmas and Henrý’s transition process is back on track.

Earlier this year Henrý Steinn became be the first Icelandic man to give birth during a gender transition process. Now he’s about to celebrate Christmas with his baby Védís Bára for the first time.
Earlier this year Henrý Steinn became be the first Icelandic man to give birth to a baby during a gender transition process. Now he’s about to celebrate Christmas with his beautiful little baby Védís Bára for the very first time.

So, how’s the little family doing now? “Really good. Although me and Doddi (Þórir Leó Pétursson, the baby’s other dad) have separated since but that was all on good terms and we share parenting. We now both live in Akureyri, I moved in with my mother and stepdad and Doddi’s recently found an apartment here so he’s close by.”

Are you busy preparing Christmas? “I’ve mostly been busy with exams – I took one term at the Akureyri Comprehensive College – so I’ve just been chilling for the past few days. I’ve decided not to continue with my studies next term, it’s a bit tricky with a baby, especially if we won’t get a child minder soon. My mum and stepdad and a couple of other family members looked after her while I attended classes and only one time I had to take her along. That was fine, she’s very easy, but I wouldn’t want to do that again.”

You were planning a big change in your life before falling pregnant, do you feel that becoming a parent is just as big a change or is it what you expected it to be? “Yes and no, it’s a slightly bigger deal than I thought, you can’t be prepared for everything. I’d say both becoming a parent and transitioning is equally big a change to anyone’s life.”

“I’d say both becoming a parent and transitioning is equally big a change to anyone’s life.”

Which dad does Védís take more after? “I think she’s very mixed. At first I didn’t see any of me in her but with time, when she stopped being wrinkled, she began looking more like me. Now, it just varies what others see in her, some say she looks like Doddi, some say she looks like me. I think she looks more like him whereas she takes more after me in character.”

Védís Bára with Santa.
Védís Bára with Santa.

And what sort of a character is she? “She’s a very chilled out baby, everybody comments on how relaxed she is, you hardly ever hear her complain. She’s very calm but still full of energy, not difficult at all to deal with. She “crawls” by shifting around on her backside, eats well – she’s tasted most things and likes it all except avocado, she finds it disgusting! I think it has something to do with the texture, she finds mango a bit weird as well.”

You’ve been trying to get a child minder for Védís, how’s that going? “I left it a bit too long because I was hesitant to call each and every one but I didn’t notice any weird reactions when I spoke to them; some of them had heard of me and our circumstances so it wasn’t a big deal. We’ve now found a few child minders that we like and are just waiting who’ll be the first to have available space for Védís.”

The interview in GayIceland went viral and your name and picture appeared on websites all over the world, what did you think of the response? “It was a little overwhelming; I wasn’t expecting that at all. It was fun to begin with, to see how far the story travelled but eventually I was just waiting for it to stop.

I received quite a few messages and that was fine, they were all positive and people just saying my story was interesting and wishing us well. But to get random friend requests on Facebook from strangers on the other side of the world, that was weird and I didn’t accept any of those. I did reply to the messages, just to say thank you.

“Some say she looks like Doddi, some say she looks like me. I think she looks more like him whereas she takes more after me in character,” says Henrý Steinn when asked which dad Védís Bára takes more after.
“Some say she looks like Doddi, some say she looks like me. I think she looks more like him whereas she takes more after me in character,” says Henrý Steinn when asked which dad Védís Bára takes more after.

The only negative response I noticed was in some of the comments sections and I just tried to ignore them; it’s perhaps a mistake reading them but I’m used to all sorts of reactions and know that ignorance is the root cause of all prejudice, so it doesn’t really bother me.”

Last week, you began your hormone treatment, after postponing it for just over a year because of the surprise pregnancy, how do you feel about it? “I’m glad to be back on track but the first time felt a little strange, mostly because I didn’t know it would take such a long time to inject the medicine; it’s a bit thick so you have to take your time emptying the syringe into the muscle. My blood pressure is fine and everything but now, after only a few days, I feel as if I’m about to get a sore throat but I’m told that’s a common symptom when the hormone starts affecting your voice. People don’t believe it happens this quickly but apparently your voice starts getting deeper pretty soon and your appetite increases so I’m prepared for that over Christmas!”

“Me and Védís will spend Christmas Eve here at my mum’s; Christmas Day we’ll spend at my dad’s and then go over to Doddi’s family … so she’ll probably be opening presents for three days in a row!”

What’s the family’s plan for Christmas? “Me and Védís will spend Christmas Eve here at my mum’s; Christmas Day we’ll spend at my dad’s and then go over to Doddi’s family in Árskógsströnd, where we used to live, after that. I want them to enjoy opening presents with Védís so she’ll probably be opening presents for three days in a row!”

Henrý Steinn is looking forward to celebrate Christmas with little Védís Bára.
Henrý Steinn is looking forward to celebrate Christmas with little Védís Bára.

And the outlook for 2017? “Is bright; two weeks in, my 20th birthday is up and it happens to fall on a Saturday so I think I’ll definitely celebrate. I’ve got a new boyfriend now so we’ll probably do something together. We’re taking things a bit slow; it’s different when you’ve got a baby, you really take your time getting to know each other but he and Védís have met and get along fine. So 2017 is full of prospect; my main goal regarding the gender transition is to have a top surgery sometime next year.”

Have you thought of having more babies? “Well, the first few months it was an absolute “No, no!” and I’m told that’s very normal for all new parents. But as time has gone by, the idea has become slightly appealing again. I’m not going to rule anything out at least and am in no hurry to have a hysterectomy.”

So would you be willing to carry and give birth to another baby? “I’m not quite sure, for now I think it’s a possibility but only time will tell,” says the happy dad who’s looking forward to celebrate Christmas with beautiful little Védís Bára.

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

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Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

Webpage/vefsetur

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.

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