“God is queer, just as God is straight, trans or cis”

Only in Iceland: a bisexual priest accidentally outs himself on TikTok and couldn’t be happier about it. After centuries if not millennia of harsh condemnation and repression, you might think that religion and sexual or gender difference don’t mix well. And truly, it’s blatantly obvious that in most cases you wouldn’t be wrong. But in some places, things seem to take a turn for the better. Sindri Geir, now priest of the Church of Iceland (The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland is the national church of Iceland, or Þjóðkirkjan), had his fair share of struggles. He tells the story of his somewhat rocky spiritual journey and shares an inspiring message of hope and reconciliation.

Sindri Geir is a priest of the Church of Iceland.

When did you become a priest of the Church of Iceland?
“I was ordained as a priest of the Church of Iceland on December 1st 2019, but in 2016 my family and I moved to Norway where I served as an unordained pastor for two years in the Lutheran Church of Norway.”

“I made a video about progressive faith where I shared for 1.8 seconds that I was bi. I thought no one would see it, at least no one I knew. I was mistaken.”

Did you know you were bisexual back then?
“Yes, I’ve known since elementary school but it was not something I had talked about openly. I sometimes wonder if I kept quiet because of my roots in the Pentecostal Church. I was indeed active in their youth club and remember that we talked about gay marriage as a sin. It was truly an emotional crisis when I was 14 or 15 years old and thought I was gay. I didn’t understand my feelings and remember that I was relieved when I found out that I also had those feelings towards girls and could therefore choose to be “normal”. When I look back I can see that I carried a lot of shame and self-hate with me. But in junior-college (menntaskóli) I told a few close friends, including my girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife.”

Where does the Church of Iceland stand on LGBT+ rights today?
“Now I don’t think you will find a priest within the Church of Iceland who would openly talk against LGBT+ rights. There might be a few conservative ones that would not be comfortable with the subject, but our bishops have taken a rather progressive stance and followed Lutheran Churches around the world that have done the same. Trying to make the Church change its stance is like making an oil tanker take a turn. It happens slowly, but we are getting there. Before same-sex marriage was allowed in Iceland a group of priests, deacons, theologians, and laypeople within the church fought vigorously to change the Church from the inside, and their hard work paid off.

Today I would describe the Church of Iceland as open and affirming, and the project “ein saga-eitt skref” that the Church and S’78 launched together is a real step towards acknowledging and atoning for our broken past regarding LGBT+ people.”

Was the Church always as progressive?
“In 2006 when our parliament was debating whether to allow same-sex marriage, the Church weighted heavily against it. The bishop at the time said it would ruin marriage as the foundation of the family and even though he has repeatedly apologized for his words, they still show that the Church was not at the forefront of defending human rights as it should have.”

Knowing that the Church wasn’t as supportive as it is today, what made you take the jump and become a priest anyway?
“I did not enter the theology department to become a priest and I was sure to find students and professors there that were conservative and judgmental. I did not know much about the Church of Iceland, most of my biases and opinions were based on a deep resentment towards conservative and hateful Churches that I had read about in the US. I remember that I was almost eager to pick a fight to discuss progressive topics but soon found that there were few who held views much different from mine. At the time, there were at least five other queer theology students and I remember that I was almost disappointed that there were no judgmental or conservative people to confront.

My thirst for confrontation and debate is not as strong as it was, but I entered the theology department right after the debate about same-sex marriage was settled and the Church had changed its position. It was a pleasant surprise that theology education in Iceland was progressive and I had to take some time to work on my own prejudgments about the Church and Christianity.

For a while I had my mind set on becoming a teacher or pursue a PhD. in ethics, but I had an experience that pushed me to finish seminary and become a priest. After working with two queer priests in Norway, in a Church that is more conservative than the Church of Iceland, I better realized that the Church needs diverse pastors.”

Have you always been out as a seminarian and later as an ordained priest?
“No, until last summer when I accidentally came out on TikTok I had never talked openly about it. During seminary I had only told two other students who were both queer.”

What kept you from being open about it?
“I am sure that the shame I felt when I found out I was bi has had a huge impact on why I never allowed myself to be open about this. But I remember that I was once taking a course on sexual ethics in seminary and read an article by a pastor who had come out as pan and how her identity shaped her view of God. She also talked about how important it was for queer people to be visible, so that others can be comfortable in coming out and not hiding who they are. I struggled for a while and wanted to come out, but I did not. I was afraid. But I’m not sure what I was afraid of. Probably judgement, maybe my own judgement.”

How did you come out eventually?
“This summer I joined TikTok and before my content blew-up I made a video about progressive faith where I shared for 1.8 seconds that I was bi. I thought no one would see it, at least no one I knew. I was mistaken. But this was a good mistake.”

Have you ever felt rejected in the Church community because of it, either by members of the clergy or believers?
“I have not received any negative feedback, or been rejected, but since this came out, I’ve been contacted by queer people who have struggled with faith and the Church and trust me with their thoughts, so I truly believe that this was something that was meant to happen.

Today I’m a priest in Glerárkirkja in Akureyri, the only church in Iceland where both of the priests are queer, and it does not impact our work in any negative ways.”

Does the steady growth of the Catholic Church in Iceland these past few years worry you considering its views on LGBT+ rights?
“The Catholic Church is diverse, and I have got Catholic friends in Europe and the US that are progressive regarding LGBT+ rights, and they’ve got a pope now that has been trying to take steps in the right direction. But still, here in Iceland the Catholic Church is more conservative, and its growth is mostly due to an increase in the Polish population in Iceland. That is not a negative thing, and I know Polish Catholics here in Iceland that do not agree with the Church, so I am confident that this will not have a negative impact on LGBT+ rights.”

What do you want to say to LGBT+ people who have faith but feel like they wouldn’t be welcome in the Church of Iceland?
“I really am sorry that the Church has let you down, either personally or by our history that is filled with mistakes and wrongdoing against the LGBT+ community. But for me, the Church is a place for imperfect people who want their lives to be dedicated to justice, peace, and love. It is my core belief that we are all loved by our creator, no matter our gender or sexual orientation, and since we are all made in the image of God, our creator carries within her all the diverse elements that make up our humanity. God is queer, just as God is straight, trans or cis.

Seeing all of us as imperfect grants me some serenity when looking at the mistakes of the past, and I want the Church to learn from its mistakes, so they will not be repeated. In trying to follow Jesus I feel that we need community to grow in faith and in life. I truly hope that, if you have faith and want to pursue it, then you’ll find a Church that speaks to you and gives you a welcoming community, and I am confident that the congregations of the Church of Iceland will do so.”

“I really am sorry that the Church has let you down, either personally or by our history that is filled with mistakes and wrongdoing against the LGBT+ community. But for me, the Church is a place for imperfect people who want their lives to be dedicated to justice, peace, and love.”

Any message you’d like to share with LGBT+ people who view Churches of all kinds as natural enemies?
“I believe I know where you are coming from. I went from loathing Christianity to becoming a priest: that journey had some unexpected turns. My perspective is that there are many toxic and bad Churches around, and the Church of Iceland is certainly not perfect. Without people who are willing to speak their mind about the Church nothing changes. Even though I do not pursue debates as I did before, I love when I meet someone who has a completely different opinion than I do and through our talk we both learn something about our self and our differences.

As Leonard Cohen sang, “there is a crack in everything and that is how the light gets in.” When we are open to dialog, open to learning from each other and trying to understand different points of view, we are letting a light shine in, and the Church should always welcome that.”

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

—————-

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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