Now that 2017 is coming to a close we at GayIceland ask for your help to choose the person of the year. All you have to do is send us an email with your choice of the person you think deserves this honor and tell us why you chose that person. We asked Roald Viðar Eyvindsson, editor in chief, to tell us a little bit more on how this works and why it was decided to do this.
So, Roald, tell us about the idea behind the election of the person of the year 2017?
“The idea is to honor someone who has, in one way or another, made a difference in the campaign for the rights of queer people in Iceland. Or someone who’s work has somehow benefited the queer community. This is the first time we are choosing person of the year and the purpose is to draw attention to the good work that is done for the benefit of the queer community in Iceland.”
In your opinion are there many persons who deserve to be named person of the year?
“Definetily. A lot of people have been doing a bunch of good things.
That’s exactly the reason why we at GayIceland decided to host this election. And if people don’t remember all the good things that have happened and they need to be reminded of them, then they can for example always scroll through all the news, interviews and columns that have been published on GayIceland this year.”
“A lot of people have been doing a bunch of good things. That’s exactly the reason why we at GayIceland decided to host this election.”
Does the person people choose as person of the year need to be queer?
“No, the person of the year does not have to be queer. It can just as well be someone who has been doing good work that benefits the queer community even though that person is not a part of it themselves. It is indeed important to remember that many people outside the queer community in Iceland have been making contributions for the our community.”
How do people who want to participate in this election deliver their choice?
“The readers of GayIceland just have to send us an email with the subject “Person of the year” (manneskja ársins) to the email adress gayiceland@gmail.com. It’s important to also send a reasoned opinion on why the person you choose deserves to be appointed as the person of the year. The results will be published on GayIceland.”
