Queer Prom, karaoke nights, and free binders are just some of the things 13 to 16-year-olds can access at Iceland’s first Queer Youth Centre.
In the very centre of Reykjavík, behind the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, is a space unlike any other in the country. Tucked at the back of a parking lot, it’s very easy to miss. If you happen to walk by on a Tuesday evening, however, you might just hear some raucous voices seeping through the metal doors. And if you were to peek inside, you might spot a bunch of teens playing Dungeons and Dragons, sitting in a circle knitting, or singing their hearts out at one of the regularly held karaoke nights. This unique space is the Queer Youth Centre of Reykjavík, and the only queer youth centre in Iceland.
Hrefna Þórarinsdóttir, the Queer Youth Centre’s director, and a group of teens from centre taking part in Reykjavík Pride.
“There are kids travelling one, two, or even three hours by bus to come here, to experience a place where they feel they belong.”
“Our most popular event is karaoke, and we hold it once a month because they love it, it’s the most beautiful thing to witness,” Hrefna Þórarinsdóttir, the centre’s director, tells me as she welcomes me into the large yet cozy space that houses the centre’s activities. The building, known as Spennistöðin, has housed the neighbouring elementary school Austurbæjarskóli’s youth centre since 2014. Hrefna has worked there since its opening.
Youth from far and wide
The Queer Youth Centre started its programming in 2016. “It was originally housed in the National Queer Organization’s facilities on Suðurgata street,” Hrefna tells me. “The first year that we started, there were maybe 10-15 teens coming each week, but then it started growing, and growing, and growing. Around 2018, the group had grown to 40-50 and the space was no longer big enough. Since I was working at the youth centre here at Spennistöðin, it was a logical next step to use this space.” Once the Queer Youth Centre moved, attendance exploded. “Now we get between 80-100 youth every single week,” Hrefna says.
The centre is open to queer youth 13-16 years old every Tuesday evening. While other youth centres in the capital area and countryside provide some programming for queer youth, the Queer Youth Centre is the only one fully dedicated to the group. Since it’s the only space of its kind in the whole country, youth often travel long distances to partake in its programming. “Around 60% are from Reykjavík, but a bunch come from other municipalities in the capital area, and also from the countryside,” Hrefna explains. “There are kids travelling one, two, or even three hours by bus to come here, to experience a place where they feel they belong. I counted the other day: excluding the capital area, over the past year, we’ve had kids from 16 different postcodes in the countryside visit.”
Queer prom
The centre’s programming is entirely free and youth-led. Besides hosting groups centred around hobbies like K-pop and DnD, the centre programs larger events. “We gather ideas once a month and they can submit anonymously if they want to. Sometimes the staff adds some programming depending on needs we identify, like queer sex ed or discussions on harassment and abuse.”
Hrefna’s favourite annual event the centre holds was suggested by a group of teens. “They came up to me after watching a YouTube video from a school in the US that held a queer prom. They said: ‘We want to do that!’ And we went all in. We had [Icelandic musician and queer icon] Páll Óskar come and perform, we had face painting, a photo booth, and everything.” The centre also has a binder fund, another idea that came from youth themselves. “Kids who need a binder can come to us and get their first binder for free. It’s a beautiful idea that came straight from the kids.”
Joy as a weapon
Hrefna loves seeing youth at the centre get excited about their ideas. “Joy is our most powerful weapon. We do so much to ensure that the kids know that this space is meant for having fun. When they have an idea, no matter how nuts, we seize it and try do something with it.”
Many of these kids don’t feel safe in school, in public transit, in big spaces like shopping malls, because they are visibly queer. While that’s still the case, while we still get reports of harassment and hate crimes in schools, we need this space.
Over and over, Hrefna has seen teens enter the space for the first time and be transformed almost instantly. “At first, they’re a little apprehensive, like we all are in new surroundings. But with the help of our staff, in 10, 15 minutes they’ve found their group, they’re running around, they’re giving me attitude. And I’m actually happy when the kids give me attitude, because then I know that they feel good here.”
In a perfect world
To Hrefna, the need for a dedicated space for queer youth in Reykjavík is clear. “In a perfect world, all youth, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or religion, could feel good in any space. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Many of these kids don’t feel safe in school, in public transit, in big spaces like shopping malls, because they are visibly queer. While that’s still the case, while we still get reports of harassment and hate crimes in schools, we need this space.”
It’s not an overstatement to say that the Queer Youth Centre is a lifeline for plenty of the teens that visit it. Many don’t take part in other recreational activities or sports, according to Hrefna. “This may be the only social connection they have that isn’t over the computer or phone,” she explains. “And just being able to come to a space where you can dress how you want, use whatever name you want, use whatever pronoun you want, change it an hour later, behave however you want to, is so beautiful.”
The Queer Youth Centre is funded by the City of Reykjavík and the National Queer Organization of Iceland is an active consultant. While a certain amount of funding is guaranteed to the centre, Hrefna says it’s not nearly enough. “The operations are expanding, the need is growing, and we’re always fighting to get more funding so we can provide more services and also services that are more professional. We need more in order to provide these kids with a safe haven.”
“I’m actually happy when the kids give me attitude, because then I know that they feel good here.”
Hrefna dreams of expanding the centre’s opening hours as well as providing programming for children aged 10-12, something the centre did temporarily before funding for that age group was cut. “But I’m optimistic that we’ll get the funding to continue it,” she says. “It’s a really important group that we need to include, because the earlier that we can reach them, the earlier we can make a positive impact.”
The Queer Youth Centre’s is open to queer youth ages 13-16 every Tuesday from 7:30 PM-9:45 PM and all activities are free. Find them on Instagram: @hinseginfelagsmidstods78
