OPINION: Roald Eyvindsson, Editor-in-chief writes about GayIceland’s 10th anniversary, queer rights and the backlash the queer community is currently facing in Iceland.
This year marks ten years since GayIceland went live in its current form. From the beginning, we have focused on queer issues, through interviews, coverage, and news reporting. We have written about victories in the fight for queer rights, pointed out various systemic failures, and given restraint to those in power. Lately, we have turned our attention to the backlash the queer community, particularly trans people, are facing in Iceland.
Yes, it’s unbelievable and somehow a bit far-fetched to talk about a backlash but I really can’t avoid writing a few words about it here, in this little birthday speech, because for my part I readily confess that it’s something I just didn’t expect that could happen after all the progress that has been made when it comes to the rights of queer people in Iceland in recent years.
And no, talking about a setback or backlash is no exaggeration or drama. Let us be clear about that. The backlash is real (as some warned). If you are skeptical then just look at the comment sections. Listen to the speeches of certain politicians. Read editorials of certain media outlets. Check out the news about the persecution that trans people and queer youth have to endure in society, news about assaults on queer people, and vandalism of queer symbols. Recently the rainbow flag at the Orkan gas station at Bústaðarvegur was torn down. Just to name a few examples.
Yes, it’s surreal to face the fact that relapse is happening, but at the same time, it shows once again how important it is not to fall asleep on the watch, how important it is to be aware, how important it is to educate, to see through the misrepresentations and untruths and focus on the facts.
It is surreal to face the reality that relapse is happening, but at the same time, it shows once again how important it is not to fall asleep on the watch, how important it is to be aware, how important it is to educate, to see through the misrepresentations and untruths and focus on the facts.
The chairman of Reykjavík Pride (Hinsegin dagar), Gunnlaugur Bragi Björnsson, put it well in an interview this week when he discussed the backlash and said that he believed that a noisy, little group was mostly behind it, while the silent majority of Icelanders are behind the queer community in Iceland and their fight for equal rights. I’m going to agree with those words because I think that fortunately, the majority of Icelanders want to live in a society of equality and open-mindedness. At least that’s the belief I’m hanging on to, entering Reykjavík Pride with its wonderful joyous fighting spirit.
On behalf of myself and my editorial team at GayIceland, I would like to thank you dear readers for coming along on this journey that has lasted the last ten years. We appreciate your support.
Roald Eyvindsson,
editor-in-chief of GayIceland.