First trans woman takes office as deputy city councillor

Alexandra Briem is a new deputy city councillor in Reykjavík and the first trans woman to be elected for office in the city council.

Alexandra has been active in politics for years, though never before in the front-line.

She is there on behalf of the Pirate Party and says that she does not consider herself specifically a spokesperson for trans people, although she is aware that she does represent trans people outwardly and that being elected is a huge step forward in the fight for equal rights for minority groups.
“I’m excited to tackle this new role,” says Alexandra. “I’m grateful to all the people who have fought for queer rights in Iceland in the past and I realise that without their tireless efforts  through the decades, this would not have been possible.”

Did you experience any hostility when you were speaking officially on behalf of the Pirate Party in the election campaign?
“No, not at all,” Alexandra says with wonder in her voice. “That’s probably the biggest surprise of this campaign. A very pleasant surprise. Of course I didn’t expect it from my fellow campaigners within the Pirate Party or from candidates from the socially progressive parties, but I was kind of surprised that no one from the parties at the furthest right or most conservative had any problems with it either. This is very encouraging and tells me that the Icelandic people don’t really consider this much of an issue anymore.”

“… no one from the parties at the furthest right or most conservative had any problems with it either. This is very encouraging and tells me that the Icelandic people don’t really consider this much of an issue anymore.”

It was unclear if Alexandra’s name would make it to the ballot as her formal name change had not gone through. The issue and therefore Alexandra got an extensive coverage. It was worked out at the last-minute – literally.
“Yes, it was a close call,” Alexandra admits. “The name change had not been registered at the national registry Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) and it took a lot of time to gather all the paperwork necessary to hand in to the committee that handles these matters. To make matters worse the psychiatrist who had been on the committee left in April and it had taken time to get a new one. It was not until the day we had to hand in the list of candidates that I could hand everything in to formally change the name. So there was a lot of running back and forth with paperwork that day.”

There has been a lot of discussion about this process of changing one’s name lately, and many schools have refused to call students by their right names since people in Iceland can not get a legal name change until they are 18 years old. What does Alexandra think of this process?
“We’ve talked about this in the Pirate party a lot before the election and we all agree that it is ridiculous to have a naming committee that has the authority to decide what people are allowed to call themselves. I understand that before you come of legal age there is a bit of a gray area but the Pirate Party has the policy that children and youngsters who want to take another name can register their preferred name in the system, at least as a sort of official nickname, that they are allowed to use officially in school and such.”

she is aware that she does represent trans people outwardly and that being elected is a huge step forward in the fight for equal rights for minority groups.

Another debate has been regarding the fact that there are only two options for gender in the Icelandic system is that something you would like to change?
“That is also a big issue,” Alexandra says. “Another of our policies is to make official documents officially allow for more choice for gender. The only question is how many options there should be, how nuanced it should get. The options male, female or other are a good start, but maybe we need to expand even further. The current Reykjavík city majority is in agreement with us to update city documents to accommodate a wider spectrum of gender identities.”

Alexandra has been active in politics for years, though never before in the front-line. What is it about politics that she finds so fascinating? What is her main agenda as a politician?
“My main agenda is to change the system here in Iceland, make it more transparent, democratic and open. To make it accessible to everyone. Equality regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion etc. I want a just society for everyone. After the financial crisis in 2008 the injustice and inherent unfairness of our society became so blatantly obvious that I could not keep quiet anymore.”

But you don’t consider yourself a spokesperson for the trans community in Icelandic politics?
“Of course I will always be that in some sense. I’m in politics as a trans person. But I’m aware that the trans community did not elect me as their spokesperson so I cannot designate myself their chosen representative. But who I am has, of course, made me more aware of the need to eliminate injustice against minority groups. And in that regard, my position is somewhat significant as I might well be the second or third trans person that people have seen in the media. So what I say and how I present myself does matter.”

I feel happier and more content

Our talk moves away from politics and to Alexandra’s personal life. “At the moment I’m single and childless,” she says. “But I am at the point in my life where I’m very openly considering what I want in those matters, what sort of life I want to live. For the last ten to fifteen years, while I was still trying to avoid the issue of being trans, I felt that dating was very difficult, even inherently dishonest, as I was not presenting the true version of myself to potential partners. And to me, honesty is paramount in intimate relationships. But now I’ve started looking around and thinking where I want to go from here.”

Was there a long period that you had troubles admitting to yourself who you are?
“Yes, even though I admitted it to myself ten to fifteen years ago that I was a woman I think I was hoping it would just go away if I stopped thinking about it. I was not ready to admit it to the world.”

“I’m aware that the trans community did not elect me as their spokesperson so I cannot designate myself their chosen representative. But who I am has … made me more aware of the need to eliminate injustice against minority groups.”

Alexandra started by going to a psychiatrist who specializes in trans matters in 2013, but  took it slowly and it was not until 2015 that things started to move forward.
“The process was slow to start and though it’s now been three years since I started in earnest, I still have a long way to go. The surest sign that I’m on the right track is that with every step I take, every new change, I feel happier and more content. I have no doubt that as I continue my process, I will only keep feeling more at peace with myself. It was hard to find the courage to be my genuine self, but it has been absolutely worth it.”

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.

          Contact Us


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