Today is a national election day and Mrs. Johanna Sigurdardottir steps down as Iceland´s prime minister and the world´s first openly gay head of government after four years in office. No matter where you stand in politics, if you agree or disagree to the politics and vision Johanna stood for, we should be able to agree that an openly gay head of state has made a significance for the LGBT community and for the better.

The fact that she is a lesbian, has brought a lot of attention around the world which is important for gay people of all nationalities wherever they live. The absence of openly gay politicians is something we definitely need to address and change, our voice has to be heard on all levels if we are to make a difference for the better.

Read more ...

National elections for Parliament are coming up in about a week and according to recent polls a new government will replace the left wing government for four years lead by Mr.s Johanna Sigurdardottir, the world´s first gay prime minister. The National Queer Organization, Samtökin '78, invited political parties running for Parliament to share their thoughts, policies and ideas on LGBT issues at a very well sought meeting last week at the Queer Center. Prior to the meeting all parties had the opportunity to share their policies on LGBT related issues by answering a list of questions such as how they perceive current legislative and social status of LGBT people, if they are ready to support further research on lgbt issues, strengthen education and secure funding of the National Queer Organization which has suffered since the economy crashed in 2008.

Read more ...

Amnesty Iceland has invited Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, an Ugandan LGBT activist, to Iceland. Kasha is here to participate in meetings and discussion panels about LGBT activism and her life as an activisit in Uganda which is one of the World´s most homophobic countries.

Read more ...

The Prime Minister of Iceland, Mrs. Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, and her wife, Jónína Leósdóttir, will be on an official visit to China on 15-18 April. Mrs. Sigurdardóttir captured the world´s attention after winning the 2009 elections in Iceland and becoming the world´s first openly gay prime minister. She was on Guardian´s top 10 list as the most influential LGBT people of the year in 2012 and her coming up visit with her wife to China is a milestone for LGBT in China and around the world.

Reykjavik Gay Pride has elected a new board of directors during its meeting last month, March 24th. One of the longest sitting chairman and one of the event founding father, Þorvaldur Kristinsson, has stepped aside as a Vice Chairman with Eva Maria Thorarinsdottir taking his place. The newly elected board of directors shows that the Organization is still fresh and fierce with young people getting involved and working hard to make one of Iceland´s most important event take place. 

Seattle bears and friends will be crossing over to Iceland for the BEARS ON ICE event September 5-8. The XL weekend is Seattle´s labour day bear run but the event goes beyond the standard bear/bar runs and flirting with hot guys as you also get to experience Seattle and many awesome things Washington State has to offer.

XL weekend organizers have created strong bonds with Iceland and the local bear community as they have been to BEARS ON ICE several times in the past. Now they want to bring soma fellow bears and friends from Seattle to Reykjavik for a long weekend of fun and friendship. Check out the XL Crossover website and the XL Crossover Raffle where you have the chance of winning all inclusive bearcation to the XL Crossover to Iceland. 

Colin Gaff and John Eltong will be BEARS ON ICE 2013 guest DJs. Colin Gaff is originally from the UK but has been living in Australia for many years and is now returning to the Northern Hemisphere to perform. Coling has been very active performing at gigs within the Sydney Bear community at key parties such as Bear Pit, Honey and Chunky and having him for this year´s event is very exciting according to event organisers.

Read more ...

The local gay scene in Reykjavik is very small but it´s open and friendly. Most of the time you´ll find the local venues mixed with gays and straight people partying together with the exception of "men only" bars & clubs if they exist at all (which they dont as of this writing).  Kiki on Laugavegur 22 is the current place to goto and the only operating LGBT club in town by the time this is written. Kiki is open Friday and Saturday nights. The Queer center on Laugavegur 3 (4th floor) is the home of the National Queer Organization, Samtokin 78. It´s a quiet little office and a library, open weekedays from 1-5 pm. Cafe and bar is open Thursday nights from 8 pm and is a nice spot to sit down and relax.