Reykjavik Pride kicks off today for the eighteenth time. The week is packed with variety of queer events and activities including lectures, walking tours, drag show and dances. This year´s Pride theme is “Our History” with number of events focusing on Iceland´s Queer history, battles and achievements. The event's highlight is as always the Saturday Pride Parade and the outdoor Concert at Arnarhóll in the city center where thousands of Icelanders come together to show solidarity with the Queer community.

August is Iceland´s Pride month. Reykjavik Pride, one of Iceland´s largest festival, has been an annual event in Reykjavik since 1999. The event´s history dates back to 1993 when Icelandic gays and lesbians first marched through the city center demanding much wanted freedom, respect and human rights. Pride program is still to be released but according to Eva Maria Þórarinsdóttir, President of Reykjavik Pride, a few new items will be on the list this year including Friday Rainbow Techno party but well over 30 events will be on the menu during pride week which kicks off August 2nd and runs through 7th.

Reykjavik Pride is just around the corner and this year´s official Pride song is out. The song is called "Við getum sameinast" or "We Can Unite" and is written by Eyþór Úlfar Þórisson, Birgir Steinn Stefánsson and Andri Þór Jónsson who go by the name "September" and is performed by singer and director Bjartmar Þórðarson.

BEARS ON ICE (Iceland) and Bears of Finland share this year´s Thor´s Hammer Awards, given by Tupilak for outstanding male contributions. According to Bill Schiller, chairman of Tupilak, “the organization was impressed with the initiative of the Icelandic Bears-on-Ice donation to HIV work on this Nordic island -- as a way of contributing to the LGBT+ community service beyond Bear borders”.