The birth of the Icelandic lesbian

The event “The Birth of the Icelandic Lesbian” – a discussion about the first openly gay women in Iceland in the 1980s – is hosted by Samtökin ’78, the Icelandic National Queer Organisation, and will take place at Suðurgata 3, Reykjavík on 9 March at 8pm. Speakers will be Lana Kolbrún Eddudóttir, first female chair of Samtökin ’78, and Elísabet Þorgeirsdóttir, one of the founders of the “Iceland/Lesbian Society”.

“This is the first time we’re looking back at what we did and talking publicly about it,” says Elísabet Þorgeirsdóttir about the upcoming event. Elísabet not only became one of the first openly gay women in Iceland but also one of the founders of the “Iceland/Lesbian Society”. Photo/Guðmundur David Terrazas

Elísabet Þorgeirsdóttir, social worker, was a single mum in the mid-eighties, a published poet and journalist and by taking on the job of editor at the national fishermen’s journal was already challenging the traditional roles of the patriarchy. But she didn’t stop at that; she came out as lesbian and became one of the first openly gay women in Iceland and was a founding member of the Iceland/Lesbian society, story of which she’s going to tell on Thursday evening.

“The idea of this event came about because of a study by Íris Ellenberger, about the Iceland/Lesbian Society. She interviewed us about these times and that’s why we started reminiscing about them. The article was published in Saga, the History Society Journal, and was an interesting read, where Íris is looking at the Icelandic lesbian who basically came to light in the mid-eighties. That’s when we started referring to ourselves as lesbians and begun coming out.”

The Iceland/Lesbian Society was formed in 1985 and operated in the Women’s Centre in down town Reykjavík. “That was a radical move, to make us so visible there, where we could hold our events. We were hoping the Women’s Centre would become a vibrant place, pretty much like the one in Copenhagen and other metropolitan cities. There was so much energy in feminist activism in those years. The Women’s Alliance had just been formed with all-female candidacy and there were other feminist groups operating in the Women’s Centre too. It took a bit of gut to include us in the Centre but it was our way of making ourselves seen.”

“… we have never really talked about our history, this is the first time we’re looking back at what we did and talking publicly about it … perhaps it’s the beginning of something bigger.”

Elísabet says that the aim of the society was to bring homosexual women together so they could actively support each other and seek support and inspiration from elsewhere, through literature and art abroad and so on, and to empower them and strengthen their self-identity. For her, coming out at this time was an absolute liberation.

“I was 29 when I came out but I had known I was lesbian since I was 16. We were finally blossoming, coming out of our shells. There was a much publicised interview with two lesbians, Lára and Lilja, in an Icelandic newspaper in 1983 and for many of us, it just blew our minds. That was the first time that two women went public about the fact that they lived together and loved each other. I came out a few months later and a year after that we formed the Iceland/Lesbian Society.”

The cover of Icelandic newspaper Helgarpósturinn featuring an interview with two lesbians, Lára and Lilja, in 1983.

The society was active for 3-4 years and Elísabet remembers those years fondly. “I thought they were fun times; there was so much energy going on, we were breaking free and creating a community.

But they were difficult times too; around this time, AIDS was spreading and there were a lot of prejudice because of that.

There was also a lot of drinking and I think for some people those were painful times. But for me, personally, they were empowering because I finally got to be who I really am.”

She says that it might have been easier for lesbians to come out than gay men because they were branded as being sure victims of AIDS. “But we had different obstacles. My girlfriend at the time and I both had children when we came out, we were two single mothers who set up a home with our children. That was unheard of and a lot of prejudice regarding whether lesbians and gays

Lana Kolbrún Eddudóttir, the first female chair of Samtökin ’78, will be one of the speakers at the event. Photo/Dagur Gunnarsson

were capable of raising children so we put a lot of effort to showing that we could be just an ordinary family. There was a lot of energy that went into that, just living as an openly gay person and proving that we were ordinary people too.”

“… we felt that … we would be helping others by being so visible, to show people what our lifestyle was like and that we weren’t much different from them.”

Elísabet says that fortunately, she herself didn’t experience much prejudice, her family and her son’s father were understanding. “But we felt that as pioneers, we could contribute something by being open about our lives, that we would be helping others by being so visible, to show people what our lifestyle was like and that we weren’t much different from them.”

But even so, gay rights were almost non-existent back then and when asked what’s been the greatest achievement in the fight for LGBTI+ rights, Elísabet laughs. “They’re all great achievements, you can’t compare the two, now and then. The right to have a child by adopting or having an IVF, the right to get married, all the legal rights. No, I can’t name one thing, it’s everything!”

It’s been over 30 years since Icelandic lesbians came to light and claimed their space in Icelandic society. Does Elísabet feel that young lesbians of today understand what the older generations of lesbians did for them? “I honestly don’t know because we have never really talked about our history, this is the first time we’re looking back at what we did and talking publicly about it. It will be fun to see whether they have any interest at all; young people tend not to dwell on the past and perhaps they don’t see the point. We’ll just have to wait and see on Thursday, whether the young women will show up. We’re merely doing this for fun but perhaps it’s the beginning of something bigger.”

Elísabet, second from the left, radio host and disck jockey Andrea Jónsdóttir and Lára Martin, one of the women who appeared on the cover of Helgarpósturinn.

Main photo: Guðmundur David Terrazas

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.