Reykjavík Grapevine - 29.07.2011, Side 24

24
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 11 — 2011
For the thirteenth time we celebrate Gay Pride in Reykjavík. Our cosy little pride,
originally visited by some fifteen hundred onlookers, has blossomed and evolved
into a colourful four-day celebration that attracts well over 80 thousand guests from
all over the world. Reykjavík Gay Pride is, in fact, one of the biggest small Prides
in the world.
Gay Pride is an unquestionably important event for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people in Iceland. The festival promotes visibility and courage and
provides us with a platform to manifest our pride before our fellow citizens. The
celebrations not only mark a successful stage in our struggle, but they are also one
of the most vibrant and popular events on Reykjavík’s cultural calendar. By par-
ticipating in the event in such large numbers, the Icelandic people have shown us
valuable support, recognition and respect.
This year, we have organised a programme that runs from August 4 to 7, com-
bining a colourful array of Icelandic artists and varied events. Even though our
nation’s economy has seen brighter days, the Reykjavík Gay Pride aims to promote
joy, solidarity and support for one another during times of hardship.
I welcome you all to the thirteenth annual Reykjavík Gay Pride and wish you a
wonderful time!
Þorvaldur Kristinsson
President of Reykjavík Gay Pride
Welcome to
Reykjavík Gay
Pride!
When Hilmar Magnússon decided to
create the Reykjavík LGBT History &
Culture Walk this summer, he admits
that he wasn’t sure how it would go
over. There had previously been tours
offering similar services, but they were
only run once a year during Gay Pride
Week. Hilmar wondered if there was
enough interest to sustain the tours
more regularly, and discovered a dor-
mant market.
On the tour, Hilmar combines sto-
ries of the LGBT nightlife in Reykjavík
with stories concerning change in legis-
lation, penal codes, and the struggle for
human rights with the goal of helping
people to discover some of the history
and culture of the LGBT community in
Reykjavík. Through these discoveries,
he hopes to ignite discussions about the
topics.
Though the tour is called “Reykjavík
LGBT History & Culture Walk”, and is
likely to mostly draw the attention of
the LGBT community, he stresses that
it’s an enlightening experience for ev-
eryone. “It’s a chance to hear about this
hidden history, about things you've
probably never heard about or even con-
sidered, to explore another side of Reyk-
javík,” Hilmar says. “I think it's impor-
tant for LGBT people to learn their own
history, but it's equally important for
others to get to know it as well. Know-
ing the history might lead to a better
understanding and less prejudice. On
top of that, it's just great fun.”
Be it during Gay Pride Weekend or
at a later date, the LGBT History & Cul-
ture Walk is worth doing. At the very
least, you will get to explore another
side of Reykjavík that you may not have
even known existed. SAT
The tour, which starts at Trúnó (Laugavegur
22) will run in English on August 4 and 5 at
14:00, and on August 7 at 15:30. It will run in
Icelandic on August 7 at 16:30. The minimum
number of participants is 5 and the maximum
is 20. Tickets cost 2500 ISK. Ten percent of
the proceeds will be donated to Reykjavík Gay
Pride and another ten percent will be donated
to UNICEF.
The tour can be booked calling Hilmar at 867
3919 or e-mailing him at hilmar.magnusson@
gmail.com. Additional information can be
found on the Facebook page: “Reykjavik LGBT
History & Culture Walk.”
Reykjavík's Secret History
An inside look at Reykjavík LGBT History & Culture Walk
The Icelandic LGBT community
achieved an especially exciting feat
this year; the Reykjavík Human Rights
Prize was awarded to Gay Pride. The
prize is given annually to a person,
group or organisation dedicated to
helping their community with a hu-
manitarian cause. “After 13 years of
hard work,” Gay Pride President Þor-
valdur Kristinsson said, “Reykjavík
gay pride was (finally!) nominated and
presented with this honourable prize,
and it’s of course great encouragement
for our work here because what I see as
most important in any queer struggle
is the struggle for visibility in a hetero-
sexual society.”
Gay Pride, which attracts nearly
90 thousand people nationwide, or
one fourth of Iceland’s population, has
been especially instrumental to the Ice-
landic LGBT community. “It’s some-
what of an amazement,” Þorvaldur
remarked. “Every year after Gay Pride
people come out to families and friends
and gradually to society as a whole.” En-
couragement for the LGBT community
through attendance at the festival as
well as the city council’s formal recog-
nition of their outstanding efforts have
helped to create a positive environment
for sexual minorities in Reykjavík. ML
Gay Pride Takes
The Cake
Last March, Eva María Þórarinsdóttir
and Birna Hrönn Björnsdóttir (not pic-
tured) launched Pink Iceland, a travel-
ling service catering specifically to the
LGBT Community. Since there are “a
lot of gay tourists coming to Iceland,
it’s important to have very gay friendly
services,” Eva said. With a heavy inf lux
of tourists circulating through Iceland,
the couple figured it was time to offer
an agency that would introduce new-
comers to LGBT-friendly services, in-
cluding tours, accommodation, events,
restaurants and nightlife.
Not only has this proved to be a hit,
but they have also attracted couples
from across the globe that want to have
their wedding ceremonies in Iceland.
“We didn’t think of it in the begin-
ning, but obviously a lot of countries
don’t allow gay marriage, so Iceland is a
good destination for gay weddings,” ex-
plained Eva. This new trend has created
even more business for Eva and Birna.
The couple also own popular night-
clubs Trúno and Barbara, which share
the same building and have been
deemed the “Queer Palace.” Next week
will be an especially exciting time for
the club, as they will have international
guests performing for Gay Pride. As
Eva put it, “It’s going to be a completely
queer week.” ML
Visit www.pinkiceland.is for more info.
A travel service catering to the LGBT Community
Pink Iceland
Please visit
www.fontana.is Hverabraut 1 | 840 Laugarvatn | fontana@fontana.is | Tel: (+354) 486 1400
FA
B
R
IK
A
N
Natural hot spriNg steambaths
soothiNg sauNa
relaxiNg geothermal baths
Selfoss
Reykjavík
Þingvellir
Laugarvatn
Fontana Geysir
Flúðir
SkálholtKerið
Hveragerði
Only an hour by car from Reykjavík and a short distance from
Thingvellir national park and world heritage site, nature has
created unique surroundings for a new bathing experience
– Laugarvatn FONTANA.