Surrender (Á mitt vald) is the name of the official 2014 Reykjavik Gay Pride song performed by the Icelandic pop singer and Eurovision song contestant Sigga Beinteins.

Sigga Beinteins has been a household name in Iceland for over 30 years. Her first appearance with the Icelandic band HLH flokkurinn in 1983 was an instant hit and in 1989 she joined the band Stjórnin which was to become one of Iceland´s most successful pop acts ever.

The Icelandic Queer Choir is busy practicing and getting ready for their trip to Dublin to perform at Various Voices (www.variousvoices.ie) in June. Various Voices is a pan-European choral festival aimed at gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender choirs and choruses.

The Reykjavík Queer Choir is based in Iceland´s Capital, Reykjavík. From the beginning it´s mission has been to create a prejudice-free environment where LGBTQ people can meet and enjoy singing together.

The largest attended bear dance party and most prolific gay dance event in the U.S. BEARRACUDA will be teaming up with BEARS ON ICE this year, celebrating BEARS ON ICE 10th event anniversary with a style. BEARRACUDA started in San Francisco in 2006 and has been throwing bear parties in all major cities in the US and around the world including San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, NYC, London, Austin, Cologne, Atlanta & Sydney. BEARRACUDA was voted “Best club for queer men” in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 by the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

When visiting Reykjavik you´ll soon learn that this is a small city with a tiny gay scene. Population in Reykjavik is just about 120.000 people but just over 200.000 people live in greater Reykjavik area. Once here you´ll notice how small the gay scene really is, there´s no "gay neighborhood" with gay bars, clubs, shops and restaurants where all the gays hang out. There is no Castro, Soho or Village but we still want to believe what we have is fun exploring.

It´s a big year for BEARS ON ICE which will throw it´s 10th anniversary event this september.  "Last year we had the biggest number of guys showing up from all over the world and we´re expecting similar number of attendants this year. But it´s still a pretty small event and we´re trying our best to keep it as inclusive and friendly as possible" says Frosti Jonsson member of the BEARS ON ICE organizing team. BEARS ON I CE was first held in 2005 and has been growing ever since. It´s definitely an event worth attending if you´re into friendly crowd that loves to give a good hug and have a good time while taking over Reykjavik´s gay scene this September for a long weekend.

The Sochi Winter Olympics are just about to start with all its glory and while athletes and officials from all over the world flock to Russia to participate the LGBT people in Russia are being systematically bullied and oppressed by the Russian authorities. They are systematically attacked, beaten up and killed without anyone doing anything about it. Officials from around the world, including members of the Icelandic Parliament and Iceland´s President, are flying over to participate in Putin´s show off party, and sadly no one seem to have the guts to say or do anything.  

The Icelandic gay electronic musician Bistro Boy recently released his first LP album Journey. On Journey Bistro Boy takes the listener on a travel around the world collecting sounds and samples that become a part of a story stretching from one place to another. On the album Bistro Boy teams up with guest singer Gisli Magna (Frozen thoughts) and Mono Town guitarist Börkur Birgisson (Summer vibes) as well with a group of Masai women singing for a traveller far away from home (Border crossing).

The annual Pink Masquerade Party is coming up and will take place February 1st at Iðnó (Vonarstræti 3). The Pink Party marks the highlight of the 3rd Rainbow Reykjavik LGBT Winter Pride Festival. The star and DJ of the night is Paul Oscar, Iceland's most beloved and fabulous pop star and gay icon. House opens 10.30. Ticket sale at the door and ticket price is ISK 2.500. ISK 1.500 ISK for members of Samtökin'78 until midnight. Age limit 22 years.

Rainbow Reykjavik Winter Pride is a four day festival which starts January 30th. Visit Rainbow reykjavik website for more information about the festival and individual events.