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“My sexual orientation should not be news”

The first openly gay man to become a minister in an Icelandic government has taken office. He doesn’t think his sexual orientation should be news, but he also thinks it’s a good thing if his appointment as minister can help queer people realize that it’s no hindrance to be queer.

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson is the Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources in the new government of Iceland.

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson is the Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources in the new government of Iceland. His appointment has caused a bit of a stir for several reasons. To begin with he is not a member of parliament, as all the other ministers are, secondly he has been the CEO of Landvernd, the Icelandic Environment Association, for years and last but not least he is the first openly gay man to be a minister in Iceland. We were curious about this groundbreaker of Icelandic politics and he kindly answered some questions about his new role.

The new government of Iceland took office on December 1st and obviously there is a lot to do and learn for a first time minister. Guðmundur Ingi postponed the interview several times due to other obligations but finally he found the time to answer our questions over the phone. The first question was simply how he felt about his new job.
“I feel fine,” he says with a small laugh. “I’m looking forward to doing my work here and the atmosphere is good.”

You are the first openly gay man to take office as a minister in an Icelandic government, how does it feel to be turning a page in the political history of Iceland?
“I have to say that I don’t think my sexual orientation is an issue, that has got nothing to do with my job, obviously, but on the other hand I think that if my appointment as a minister can help any queer people realize that it’s no hindrance to be queer it’s a good thing. Personally I don’t think that me being gay should even hit the news and I really hope that we will reach that stage where nobody cares about your sexual orientation in the near future.”

“I have to say that I don’t think my sexual orientation is an issue, that has got nothing to do with my job, obviously, but on the other hand I think that if my appointment as a minister can help any queer people realize that it’s no hindrance to be queer it’s a good thing.”

But do you think it’s important that queer people are visible in government, parliament and other high offices?
“Yes I think it is important that we have representations of every social group in high offices. Not just queer people but from every corner of society.”

You and Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, former PM, are the only openly gay people ever to become ministers. There have been a few queer people in parliament through the years but on the whole that group has not been very well presented on this level, do you have an explanation for that?

“While I was growing up I was taught about the importance of treating nature with respect and to take care not to spoil it, as it was the most important thing that we had,” says Guðmundur, who has always been passionate about protecting the environment.

“There have been a few queer people in parliament. But it’s true that me and Jóhanna are the only queer people ever to serve as ministers. Why that is I don’t know, but I think it’s changing bit by bit. One step at a time.”

Your nomination as Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources came as a surprise to many, both because you are not a member of parliament and because you have been the CEO of Landvernd, the Icelandic Environment Association, which has openly criticised the environmental policy of former governments, does it not feel strange to suddenly be sitting at the other side of the table?
“I don’t think you can say that being in government is being on the other side of the table, per se. It’s true that we at Landvernd have been critical of the policy former governments have run in environmental matters but in my opinion the appointment of me as minister of the environment is a way to broaden the horizon and work better with the associations fighting for the environment and make a policy that takes their views into account.”

Guðmundur Ingi holds a BSc degree in Biology from the University of Iceland and a master’s degree in Environmental Management from Yale University. He used to work for the University of Iceland carrying out research in ecology and environmental sciences, and he also worked for the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland in the fields of global studies and research. Has he always been passionate about protecting the environment?
“Yes, as long as I can remember anyway,” he says and laughs. “I’m a country boy, born and raised on a farm in Brúarlandi á Mýrum, close to Borgarnes, and while I was growing up I was taught about the importance of treating nature with respect and to take care not to spoil it, as it was the most important thing that we had. In high school I took a course in environmental studies and that further kindled this flame so when it was time to choose what I wanted to study in university there were no questions in my mind. I choose Biology for my BS studies and then I went to take my masters degree in Environmental Management at Yale to broaden the field. I never even thought about studying something else and I have certainly never regretted that choice.”

“My absolute priorities in this office are two; first to declare the highland of Iceland a national park … The other priority is to put into action the steps needed to fulfill the government’s goal of a carbon-neutral Iceland not later than 2040.”

It’s obvious from Guðmundur’s profile page on Facebook that he is a very popular guy as all kinds of people with all kinds of political background are enthusiastic about his appointment as minister of the environment. Is he quite comfortable working with people with opposite political opinions, as his fellow ministers from The Independence Party are? Is he not worried that there is too wide a gap between his opinions and their’s?

“No, I’m not worried. There is a difference of opinions, obviously, but I think this is a chance to work on a broader level than before and synchronise the efforts of all the people who want to protect the environment. It’s one of the most crucial issues of our times, and I think most people in Iceland realise that regardless of their political opinions. So I’m quite optimistic about the team work in this government.”

Your job as the CEO of Landvernd has caused some discussion that you might be disqualified to serve as minister of the environment, as it could cause a clash of interests, what do you have to say about those allegations?
“Not much. There is a certain legal procedure to determine if people are disqualified for office and I don’t think I have a reason to be worried. I don’t see this as a clash of interests, on the contrary, I would think that my background made me more qualified to do this job.”

On a personal note, are you married or in a relationship?
“Neither. I’m free as a bird,” Guðmundur says and laughs again. But he is not willing to dwell on the subject so we switch gear again.

“Yes I think it is important that we have representations of every social group in high offices. Not just queer people but from every corner of society.”

What will be your first job as a minister?
“Oh, I thought you were going to ask me what I would do to change my relationship status,” he says with a wink in his voice. “But on a more serious note, I have obviously started performing as a minister, holding speeches here and there and some such things, but my absolute priorities in this office are two; first to declare the highland of Iceland a national park, it is considered one of the last great wilderness areas in Europe and it is our absolute duty to preserve that. I’m very passionate about that project. The other priority is to put into action the steps needed to fulfill the government’s goal of a carbon-neutral Iceland not later than 2040. That is the most pressing issue I will work on as a minister of the environment and I’m optimistic that we will reach that goal.”

The time is up, I can hear Guðmundur’s office filling with people and he gets a bit distracted. So the only thing left to do is thanking him for giving us the time to answer thee questions and wish him all the best in his new job.

Guðmundur with former President of Iceland Vigdís Finnbogadótir and friend Guðmundur Hörður.

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.

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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.

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        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
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        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.

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          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

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