We wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2014 bring you lots of love, happiness and travel! Thank you for visiting Gayice.is. It´s been a pleasure helping all of you who made it to Iceland this year and we´re looking forward helping the rest of you who are still to come visit. Gayice.is.

"Talking about the weather" is the new album with Iceland's bluesiest chanteuse Lay Low (Lovisa Elisabet Sigrunardottir) and one of Icelands´best known LGBT artist. Since appearing first with her 2006 debut Please Don't Hate Me Lay Low has released several albums including Farewell Godd Night´s Sleep (2008), Brostinn Strengur (2011), a live album earlier this year simply called "Live at Home". And now a brand new album we´ve been all waiting for is finally out. 

November 20th is the Transgender Day of Remembrance to commemorate victims of transphobia. As a part of the Transgender Day of Remembrance Trans Iceland invites everyone to a special event at Fríkirkjan (church) at Fríkirkjuvegur 5 to show trans people support, stand together and fight for a better society for everyone.

The event starts 8 pm, doors open 7:30pm. Among event participants is Mayor of Reykjavik, Mr. Jón Gnarr, Ugla Stefanía from Trans Iceland and Línus Orri who will play a few songs. Anna Kristjánsdóttir, Ómel and Örn Danival will also share their trans* stories with guests.

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.