Good while ago we got the idea of introducing to Gayice.is readers some of Iceland´s best known LGBT musicians and artists but haven´t done much in actually doing so. But now is a good time, shortly after the successful Iceland Airwaves Music Festival which has been growing since first held in 1999. Among artists performing at the festival was a young Icelandic singer and songwriter, Elín Ey, who became known to the public after her first album release “See you in Dreamland” in 2008. Since then she has been busy performing in Iceland and abroad including including London, Brighton, San Francisco and New York.

Get ready for November 2nd but Pink Party will return with all the glamour, fun and flirtiness. The party coincide with the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in Reykjavik so a full house is expected at Skuggabarinn which is a club located within Hotel Borg (city center). Be sure not to miss this, it´s going to be a whole lot of fun!

The party starts at 10 pm. Tickets available at the door. Ticket price is ISK 2.000 after midnight, ISK 1.000 if you show up before midninght or if you´re member of Samtokin '78 (National Queer Organization).

If you want some good excuse for a getaway then you should check out Rainbow Reykjavik LGBT winter festival which takes place in Reykjavik, Iceland, January 310th - February 2nd, 2014. This is the third Rainbow Reykjavik festival to take place but the four day event is a nice mixture of outdoor experience and late night parties so everyone should find something of interest. Among event highlights is a trip to the geothermal Blue lagoon, Northern Lights hunt (if weather allowes), Golden Circle sight seeing tour and Pink Party. 

Rainbow Reykjavik is a great addition for LGBT travellers who wants to come visit Iceland, experience something new and have some fun. Visit Rainbow Reykjavik for more information about the event, program and tickets. 

"Homophobes are not afraid of gay people. They are just assholes" said Mayor of Reykjavik, Mr. Jón Gnarr at a surprise reception for BEARS ON ICE  attendants but the the receptions was one of the highlights for many attendats this year. In his speach Mr. Jón Gnarr also talked about why he fights for the rights of LGBT people and human rights in general and the importance of supporting this fight and give back to society and LGBT people in particular who have influenced him through arts, litterature and music.

BEARS ON ICE is about to start with events around town from Thursday through Saturday. The event starts with a Welcome Party at Iðusalur (Lækjargata 2). Among other events is a top-off party at Club Kiki (Laugavegur 22) on Friday and Men Only dance at Harlem/Volta (Tryggvagata 22).

The main party at Harlem/Volta on Saturday welcomes guests from abroad. DJ Clon Gaff comes all the way from Australia to perform as well as John Eltong from Copenhagen, Denmark and DJ Dramatik from Reykjavik. The DreamBears from London will also put on a show and get the party started.

"We´ve never had so many guys coming from all over the world for BEARS ON ICE in our nine year history and we´re really excited about the whole thing" says Frosti Jónsson, who belongs to a small group of friends who organize Iceland´s only bear event, BEARS ON ICE. This is the ninth year for the event to take place in Reykjavik but BEARS ON ICE started as a small party back in 2005. For this year´s event well over 100 guys are coming from all over the world to celebrate life, mingle and make friends, see a little bit of Iceland and have some fun. 

Reykjavik Gay Pride has just finished. Once again this was a huge success with over 90.000 people wathcing the colorful parade and the outdoor concert in downtown Reykjavik. Reykjavik Gay Pride has become one of Iceland´s biggest events but it´s not all about size. Reykjavik Gay Pride brings an important message, not only to the people of Iceland, but also to everyone around the world. The event has earned its place among Icelanders as an event of importance, paving the way for acceptance and respect. Big thanks to everyone involved for creating this wonderful event, we do appreciate all your hard work. Check out the collection of Gayice.is pictures by Pall Gudjonsson: Reykjavik Gay Pride parade and Gay Pride Outdoor Concert. 

The National Queer Organization, Samtokin '78, have awarded Reykjavik´s Mayor, Mr. Jón Gnarr, filmmaker Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir and the US Embassy The LGBT 2013 Human Rights Awards. The Human Rights Awards are given annually to individuals and Organization for their contribution to the humanitarian cause and outstanding work for the LGBT community in Iceland.

Mayor Jón Gnarr has been very outspoken about human rights and has been a strong supporter of LGBT people in Iceland and around the world. He has participated in Reykjavik Gay Pride in past years, submitted a proposal to end Reykjavík’s partnership with Moscow, on account of the Russian capital’s stance on gay rights and recently he sent an official letter to the Vatican criticising their stand on gay rights.