Reykjavík Grapevine - Oct 2020, Page 11

A Queer Utopia?
Examinin! the !ap between the law and
the people
Iceland has a reputation, in many
ways well-deserved, as a good place for
queer people to live. While the country
has definitely made great strides—es-
pecially when it comes to gay people—
to ensure equal rights and fair treat-
ment for queer Icelanders, there is still
much to be done. In many ways, Ice-
landic people show more acceptance
of and greater progressive attitudes
about queer people than the law might
reflect.
For this reason, the National Queer
Organisation of Iceland and the Nor-
dic House are hosting an event called,
“A Queer Utopia? The Dissonance Be-
tween Legal Rights and Societal Accep-
tance in Iceland,” an online discussion
on October 13th about what our coun-
try can do better for its queer popula-
tion.
The turn-of-the-century
shift
"There's been such a shift in attitude
over the last 20 years or so,” says Fe-
lix Bergsson, an actor and broadcaster
who came out as gay in 1992 and who
will be moderating the event. “This
means that the possibility to live your
queer life in Iceland is there. Before the
90s, people moved away, they had to
leave the country. It was a very homo-
phobic place. But I think the biggest
change was in 1996 when we got the
registered partnership laws [a pre-
cursor to same-sex marriage]. Things
started really changing after that. With
the broadening of the fight, taking in
trans rights and queer issues in gen-
eral, new things have been put on the
map that need to be fought for and
need to be discussed."
Things have definitely been good
for many queer people in Iceland, for
the most part, which Felix underlines.
“In my experience, Iceland is pretty
open and friendly to queer people,” he
says. “I think it's a pretty safe place for
queer people to live. It's pretty boring
at times, but that's what comes with
living in a small society. In a European
perspective, I think Iceland is a good
place to live for queer people."
There’s more to queer than
just being gay
That said, there is much more to the
queer community than its gay citizens.
The discussion will also examine trans
rights, nonbinary issues and the status
of queer asylum seekers. Felix readily
admits that he’s not an expert on this
topic, but is very eager to learn.
"We'll be going over what's wrong
with the law and what needs to be im-
proved,” he says. “That's something
that will certainly be a learning process
for me and hopefully also for those
who want to take part in the seminar.
I really want to know where we are still
lacking."
All are welcome
Felix has nothing but praise for the
Nordic Council, who have for years
now been detailing where countries
are doing well and where they can im-
prove in queer rights.
"The Nordic Council is really put-
ting so many things on the map
through these meetings, in each and
every country, with so many countries
looking at where they're doing well and
where they should be doing better," he
says.
It bears mentioning that even those
who are cis and straights are not only
welcome, but encouraged to listen in.
"I think it's going to be fun, I think
it's going to be a very interesting af-
ternoon, and I think that anyone who's
interested in queer rights, and human
rights in general and a better society
should definitely tune in," Felix says.
Words:
Andie Sophia
Fontaine
Photo:
Art Bicnick
CULTURE
NEWS
Find today's events
in Iceland!
Download our free
listings app - APPENING
on the Apple and
Android stores
Iceland's queer community is a broad umbrella
Info
The lecture will be
held at 17:00 on
October 13th, and
the stream can
be watched on
the Nordic House
website.
Eat My...
Carnal Appetite
Until October 14th - FLÆ"I
Culinary artist Elín Margot is known
for making lollipops in the shape of
fingers and cakes that resemble
vaginas—literal food porn. At this
exhibitionist exhibition, she
presents a dinner ritual in order to
promote not only healthy nutrition
but also a healthy sexual appetite.
To keep everyone safe, there will be
a 6-person limit, with hand sanitizer
readily available. Masks are
recommended, as is not licking the
plate. ;) HJC
You Say It's Your Bday!
Imagine Peace Tower Relight
October 9th - 20:00 - Everywhere!
Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower on
Vi#ey Island can’t be visited due to
C****. But you can watch it light up
for the first time this winter on
October 9th from the comfort and
warmth of your own home. What's
the occasion? John Lennon's
would-be 80th birthday. Celebrate
the late, great icon, unite in the
glow of the light as it shoots
skywards and just imagine ALL the
people. Best enjoyed whilst sitting
in bed, with some classic Lennon
tunes quietly playing in the
background. The light will be lit
every night until November 29th. JC
We Love U, Mads
‘Another Round’ Special Preview
Screening
October 10th - 20:00 - Bíó Paradís -
1,690 ISK
If you like Danes, getting drunk,
Mads Mikkelsen, and the incredible
Thomas Winterberg, you are in for a
treat with ‘Another Round’ (or ‘Druk’
in Danish.) Bíó Paradís, the only
cinema in Iceland that doesn’t give
a shit about superheroes, will have
a special preview screening of the
movie on Saturday, October 10th.
Of course, every precaution will be
taken when it comes to COVID-19—
including showing it on two screens
to maximise social distancing. VG
Felix Bergsson