Ugla Stefnía writes about how Pride is more important than ever, and how solidarity creates community.
It would be safe to say that Pride season has been full on this year, and with good reason.
In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile and divisive towards the queer community, Pride has not only become a principle — it has become a necessity. A vital reminder that queer people are here to stay, and that we will continue to fight for what is right. We will continue to fight for inclusion, for love, for justice.
If there is one thing that I’ve learned since I came out as trans, it’s that solidarity is one of the most fundamental principles of the queer community — and of any community fighting for equality, justice, and safety, for that matter. If we as a community are to push back against the growing backlash to human rights and equality, we need to do so together rather than divided.
That’s why Pride in Reykjavík’s theme for this year, “solidarity creates community”, is both poignant and empowering. Because while there are forces that try to divide us — politically, socially, or ideologically — we will stand together and weather the storm, as we always have.
Hungary’s ban on Pride is just one stark reminder that our rights are not a given. They must be defended and fought for.
Pride started as a protest. A rebellion against those who wished to punish us for existing. Against those who sought to silence us, erase us, shame us. Sadly, that struggle is still ongoing in many parts of the world, where queer people are forced to hide who they are and live in fear.
This is why it’s so important that we do not become complacent. Even in places where progress has been made, setbacks are possible — and in some places, already happening. Hungary’s ban on Pride is just one stark reminder that our rights are not a given. They must be defended and fought for. We must stand up to the forces of bigotry, oppression, and hatred — wherever they appear.
The strongest weapon we have as a community is solidarity. Not just within the LGBTQIA+ family — across all the beautiful letters that make up who we are — but also across different communities and groups who are fighting for their own rights, safety, and recognition.
In Iceland, we have been fortunate to see these alliances grow stronger in recent years. Ties between the women’s rights movement and the queer movement, for example, have allowed us to make more meaningful progress together. While challenges remain, it’s clear that solidarity has been one of the key reasons we’ve been able to achieve what we have.
And so, even as certain groups and individuals attempt to drive a wedge between trans people and the rest of our community, I’ve been heartened to see that these efforts have largely been rejected — not only within the queer community but by society at large.
This unified response has only strengthened the bonds between us. In the face of adversity, solidarity has shown its true power — not just as a strategy, but as a deep, collective commitment to each other.
Our strength lies in our love for one another. In our unity. In our solidarity. Hate may be loud — but love is louder, and it endures. No political party, no piece of legislation, no propaganda campaign can ever take that from us.
That said, it would be naive to pretend that Iceland has been immune to setbacks. Violence, discrimination, and bigotry have been on the rise. We’ve seen an increase in anti-trans rhetoric in media and politics, often echoing dangerous global trends.
This growing hostility has the potential to reverse much of the progress we’ve made. All it takes is one election, one policy shift, and we could find ourselves in a very different landscape for queer rights.
Because while we have made great strides, the opposition to our progress has grown as well. With greater visibility has come greater scrutiny — and louder voices from those who would prefer we go back into the shadows.
But we won’t. We can’t.
We will not be erased. We will not hide.
Our strength lies in our love for one another. In our unity. In our solidarity. Hate may be loud — but love is louder, and it endures. No political party, no piece of legislation, no propaganda campaign can ever take that from us.
As Marsha P. Johnson, one of the most powerful voices in our history, once said: “No freedom for some of us, without liberation for all of us.”
So let us carry that message with us — this Pride season, and every day after.
See you at Pride in Reykjavík.