Iceland review - 2013, Page 52

50 ICELAND REVIEW
FrOM FrOLICKING TO POLITICS
This year some of the floats protested the actions of Russian
authorities against LGBT people, U.S. Ambassador Louis E.
Arreaga and Canadian Ambassador Stewart Wheeler were in the
parade—the latter was joined by his husband—and Wikileaks
spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson and others marched in sup-
port of Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning, now Chelsea
Manning. “One of the connections was maybe that she’s trans-
gender,” suggests Anna Pála.
“People apply for taking part in the parade. The floats
aren’t decided by the organizers,” she explains, clarifying that
Samtökin 78 doesn’t organize Reykjavík Pride but a special
board. Also among participants this year was Stígamót, the
Education and Counseling Center for Survivors of Sexual
Abuse and Violence, highlighting that sexual violence has noth-
ing to do with sexual orientation.
“It’s a human rights parade. People fighting for human rights
have many things in common and should
collaborate. We don’t feel that they’re steal-
ing our thunder; equality is something we all
should enjoy. Human rights organizations have
a certain sense of togetherness. Feminism, for
example, has the same roots as LGBT activ-
ist groups, in provoking gender stereotypes.
The women’s liberation movement has been
the largest factor in improving the situation for
LGBT people in Iceland; it has broken down
walls and paved the way for us.” 