LGBT rights in Iceland
![]() Location of LGBT rights in Iceland (dark green) in Europe (dark grey) – [Legend] | |
Status | Legal since 1940, age of consent equalized in 1992 |
Gender identity | Transgender people allowed to change gender without surgery |
Military | No standing army |
Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation and gender identity protections (see below) |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriage since 2010 |
Adoption | Stepchild adoption since 2000 Joint adoption since 2006 |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Iceland are very progressive. Iceland is frequently referred to as one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in the world. Same-sex couples have had equal access to adoption and IVF since 2006. In February 2009, a minority government took office, headed by Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, the world's first openly gay head of government in modern times. The Icelandic Parliament amended the country's marriage law on 11 June 2010 by a unanimous vote to define marriage as between two individuals, thereby making same-sex marriage legal. The law took effect on 27 June 2010.[1]
Legality of same-sex sexual activity[]
According to a 2020 study, "scholars have found that it was with modernization and increasing urbanization in the latter half of the nineteenth century that same-sex sexual acts between consenting men became thought of as criminal."[2]
A law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity was repealed in 1940. In 1992, the age of consent was set at 14,[3] and in 2007 it was raised to 15, regardless of gender and sexual orientation.[nb 1][4]
Recognition of same-sex relationships[]
Registered partnerships for same-sex couples became legal in 1996.[5][6][7] The legislation, known as the Law on Registered Partnerships (Icelandic: Lög um staðfesta samvist), was replaced by a gender-neutral marriage law on 27 June 2010. Upon registering their partnerships, same-sex couples were granted many of the same rights, responsibilities and benefits as marriage, including the ability to adopt stepchildren.
On 23 March 2010, the Government of Iceland presented a bill which would allow same-sex couples to marry.[8][9][10][11] On 11 June 2010, Parliament unanimously approved the bill, 49 votes to 0.[1][12] The law took effect on 27 June.[13] That day, Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir married her partner Jónína Leósdóttir, becoming one of the first same-sex couples to marry in Iceland.[14]
In October 2015, the Church of Iceland voted to allow same-sex couples to marry in its churches.[15]
Adoption and family planning[]
On 27 June 2006, Icelandic same-sex couples became eligible to a range of laws including public access to IVF insemination treatment and joint adoption of children.[7] Stepchild adoption (where a person can adopt their partner's biological child) has been permitted in Iceland since 2000.[16]
Discrimination protections[]
In 1996, the Althing passed amendments to the Icelandic Penal Code, adding sexual orientation to the country's non-discrimination law. This made it illegal to refuse people goods or services on account of their sexual orientation, or to attack a person or group of people publicly with mockery, defamation, abuse or threats because of their sexual orientation.[17] In 2014, the Parliament approved an amendment to the Penal Code, adding gender identity to the list of anti-discrimination grounds.[18]
Since 2008, it has been illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation in education.[19]
Until 2018, Iceland possessed no laws prohibiting employment discrimination on any grounds.[20][19][21] A committee that Welfare Minister Eygló Harðardóttir founded in 2014 handed in its conclusions in November 2016, advising the Parliament to pass a general discrimination law. Such a law would include protections on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.[22] On 11 June 2018, the Parliament approved a law banning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, among others. The law, known as the Law on Equal Treatment in the Workplace (Icelandic: Lög um jafna meðferð á vinnumarkaði), took effect on 1 September 2018.[23][24][25]
Transgender and intersex rights[]
On 11 June 2012, the Icelandic Parliament voted in favor of a new law relaxing rules surrounding gender identity and allowing comprehensive recognition regarding recognition of acquired gender and enacting gender identity protections.[26] These laws were enacted on 27 June 2012. The laws state that the National University Hospital of Iceland is obligated to create a department dedicated to diagnosing gender dysphoria, as well as performing sex reassignment surgery (SRS). After successfully completing an 18-month process, including living 12 months in accordance with their gender, applicants appear before a committee of professionals. If the committee determines that a diagnosis of gender dysphoria is appropriate, the National Registry is informed and the applicant chooses a new name to reflect their gender and is issued a new ID-number (kennitala) and ID. SRS is not required for an official name change and gender recognition.
In June 2019, the Althing voted 45–0 on a bill to implement a self-determination model, similar to numerous European and South American countries.[27] The new law allows transgender individuals to change their legal gender without having to receive a medical and mental disorder diagnosis, or undergo sterilization and sex reassignment surgery. Minors may also change their legal gender with parental consent. Furthermore, the law allows individuals to choose a third gender option known as "X" on official documents.[28][29][30] The law went into effect on 1 January 2020, and finally implementated in January 2021.[31] The original bill included a ban on medical interventions performed on intersex children, but this was dropped to increase the chance of passage in the Althing.[32] Instead, a committee was set up to discuss the issue and report within a year.[33][34]
Sex education[]
Since 2016, the town of Hafnarfjörður has included information about same-sex relationships in its eighth grade (age 14–15) sex education lessons.[35]
The University of Iceland organises several social activities, such as field trips, where students can discuss and learn about LGBT issues.[36]
Blood donation[]
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are currently unable to donate blood in Iceland.[37] In 2014, a man filed a lawsuit against the blood ban, describing the current policy as a clear example of discrimination.[38]
In October 2015, Health Minister Kristján Þór Júlíusson announced his support for regulatory changes to enable MSM in Iceland to donate blood.[39] It has been announced that sometime in the near future, Iceland will allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood.[40]
After many years of delays, it was formally announced in September 2021 that gay and bi men can legally donate blood after a 4-month defferal or waiting period - effective from January 1, 2022. For years gay and bi men had a lifetime ban policy on donating blood within Iceland.[41]
Public opinion[]
A February 2000 Gallup opinion poll showed that 53% of Icelanders supported the right of lesbians and gay men to adopt children, 12% declared their neutrality and 35% were against the right to adopt.[42]
A July 2004 Gallup poll showed that 87% of Icelanders supported same-sex marriage.[42]
In May 2015, PlanetRomeo, an LGBT social network, published its first Gay Happiness Index (GHI). Gay men from over 120 countries were asked about how they feel about society's view on homosexuality, how do they experience the way they are treated by other people and how satisfied are they with their lives. Iceland was ranked first with a GHI score of 79.[43]
Living conditions[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/2004-GayPrideIceland-banner.jpg/230px-2004-GayPrideIceland-banner.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/A_Succsesful_Pride_Over_%283818130969%29.jpg/230px-A_Succsesful_Pride_Over_%283818130969%29.jpg)
Despite its small population, Iceland has a visible gay scene, particularly in the capital Reykjavík, which has a few bars and cafés, and some places with a mixed gay and straight crowd. Elsewhere in Iceland, however, the sparse population means there is almost no gay scene.[44] Akureyri, the biggest city outside the capital area, does not have any gay bars.
Gay pride parades in Iceland are usually held in August,[44] and are among Iceland's biggest annual events. In 2015, about 100,000 attended the Reykjavík Pride event, representing about 30% of the Icelandic population.[45] In 2016, Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson participated in the Reykjavík Pride parade, making him the first president to attend a gay pride parade.[46]
Iceland is frequently referred to as one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in the world. Despite public antipathy towards LGBT people being high up until the 1980s, acceptance has increased significantly since then. Some of the earliest LGBT people to publicly come out include Hörður Torfason and Anna Kristjánsdottir, who both initially faced public discrimination and ridicule. The oldest existing Icelandic LGBT organization is Samtökin '78, which formed in 1978. They organized their first public protests in 1982, with support from sister associations in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. During the 1980s, Iceland came under considerable pressure from other Nordic states to improve the living conditions of LGBT people and pass anti-discrimination legislation; in 1984, the Nordic Council urged its member states to end discrimination against gays and lesbians.[47] Over the following years, LGBT groups and activists began to enter the public eye and raise awareness of their cause and movement. With greater visibility, societal attitudes began to evolve and become more accepting and tolerant. In 1996, registered partnerships were legalised for same-sex couples, making Iceland the fourth country worldwide to provide legal recognition to same-sex couples (after Denmark, Norway, and Sweden). Anti-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation were also enacted, adoption by same-sex couples was legalised, and transgender transition laws were relaxed, allowing transgender people the right to change their legal gender on official documents. In 2010, the Icelandic Parliament voted unanimously to legalise same-sex marriage; Iceland became the ninth country to legalise it, joining the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, and Portugal. In addition, former Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (2009-2013), the first openly gay head of government of modern times, and her partner Jónína Leósdóttir became one of the first couples to marry in Iceland after the passage of the new law. Opinion polls have found overwhelming public support for same-sex marriage and LGBT rights more broadly. A 2004 poll showed that 87% of Icelanders supported same-sex marriage, one of the highest in the world. Moreover, in 2015, the Church of Iceland (about two-thirds of Icelanders are members) voted to allow same-sex couples to marry within its churches.[48]
Iceland is a very safe place for both LGBT citizens and travellers. The country is listed in the "Top 10 Gay Wedding Destinations" by Lonely Planet.[49]
Summary table[]
Same-sex sexual activity legal | ![]() |
Equal age of consent (15) | ![]() |
Anti-discrimination laws in employment | ![]() |
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | ![]() |
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | ![]() |
Anti-discrimination laws concerning gender identity | ![]() |
Same-sex marriage | ![]() |
Recognition of same-sex unions | ![]() |
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples | ![]() |
Joint adoption by same-sex couples | ![]() |
LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military | (No standing army) |
Right to change legal gender | ![]() |
Third gender option | ![]() |
Conversion therapy on minors outlawed | ![]() |
Equal access to IVF for all couples and automatic parenthood for both spouses after birth | ![]() |
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples | ![]() |
MSMs allowed to donate blood | ![]() |
See also[]
- Human rights in Iceland
- LGBT rights in Europe
Notes[]
- ^ (Icelandic) The Icelandic Penal Code
- 202. gr. Hver sem hefur samræði eða önnur kynferðismök við barn, yngra en 15[fimmtán] ára, skal sæta fangelsi ekki skemur en 1[eitt] ár og allt að 16[sextán] árum.
- Section 202 Anyone who has carnal intercourse or other sexual intimacy with a child younger than 15 years shall be subject to imprisonment for at least 1 year and up to 16 years.
- 202. gr. Hver sem hefur samræði eða önnur kynferðismök við barn, yngra en 15[fimmtán] ára, skal sæta fangelsi ekki skemur en 1[eitt] ár og allt að 16[sextán] árum.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Iceland parliament votes for gay marriage | IceNews - Daily News".
- ^ Vilhjálmsson, Thorsteinn (2020). "The boundaries of pleasure: the diary of Ólafur Davíðsson and the heterotopia of the nineteenth-century Reykjavík Latin School". Scandinavian Journal of History: 1–22. doi:10.1080/03468755.2020.1776766. ISSN 0346-8755.
- ^ "Homosexuality and the Law - Fragments of Icelandic History". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
- ^ Hver er samræðisaldur á Íslandi? ("What is the age of consent in Iceland?") on
- ^ "Iceland : Recognized partnership law, 1996". France.qrd.org. 1 July 1996. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Partnership Law In Iceland". France.qrd.org. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Important Improvements in Gay and Lesbian Rights in Iceland". Ilga-europe.org. 12 June 2006. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ Iceland Likely to Permit Gay Marriage by June Archived 3 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Staff, SDGLN (10 April 2010). "Iceland is fine-tuning marriage-equality bill". San Diego Gay and Lesbian News.
- ^ "Frumvarp til laga um breytingar á hjúskaparlögum og fleiri lögum og um brottfall laga um staðfesta samvist (ein hjúskaparlög)". Alþingi. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ "Hjúskaparlög, staðfest samvist o.fl". Alþingi.
- ^ "Iceland passes gay marriage law in unanimous vote". Reuters. 11 June 2010 – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ "New gay marriage law in Iceland comes into force". Icenews.is. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ Lloyd, Peter (28 June 2010). "Iceland's Prime Minister marries long-term partner". Pink Paper. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
- ^ "From Iceland — Icelandic Priests Cannot Deny Gay Marriage". The Reykjavik Grapevine. 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Adoption of Stepchildren in Gay and Lesbian Families in Iceland". Gay Ottawa Now!. 13 June 2000. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016.
- ^ Kristinsson, Thorvaldur. "Iceland: Homosexuality and the Law". www.gayice.is.
- ^ "The General Penal Code" (PDF).
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Rainbow Europe". rainbow-europe.org.
- ^ "Country report non-discrimination: Iceland".
- ^ Benónýsdóttir, Friðrika. "Iceland is not a queer Utopia – GayIceland".
- ^ Rosa, Ingibjorg. "An index that protects LGBTI+ employees – GayIceland".
- ^ "Jöfn meðferð á vinnumarkaði". Alþingi.
- ^ "Lög um jafna meðferð á vinnumarkaði". Alþingi.
- ^ Rosa, Ingibjorg. "Laws finally guarantee equal employment rights for queer people! – GayIceland".
- ^ "Iceland adopts a new comprehensive law on trans issues". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
- ^ Elliott, Alexander (19 June 2019). "New law to help trans and intersex people". RÚV.is.
- ^ Crittenton, Anya (20 June 2019). "Iceland passes identification law dismissing lengthy medical process for trans people". Gay Star News.
- ^ Fontaine, Andie (19 June 2019). "Iceland Passes Major Gender Identity Law: "The Fight Is Far From Over"". The Reykjavík Grapevine.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "On trans issues, Iceland has just put Britain to shame". The Guardian. 21 June 2019.
- ^ Summers, Charlotte (13 January 2021). "Icelands national registry finally updates its gender options". Gay Star News.
- ^ "Gender Autonomy Act Applauded". Iceland Monitor. 21 June 2019.
- ^ "Iceland's intersex children at risk as without new protection, activist says". Reuters. 19 February 2019.
- ^ "The New Frontier: Trans Rights In Iceland". The Reykjavík Grapevine. 2 August 2019.
- ^ "Education Board Updates Sex Ed To Reflect Diversity". The Reykjavík Grapevine. 22 October 2015.
- ^ "UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RECEIVE QUEER EDUCATION". Gay Iceland. 9 March 2018.
- ^ "Hommar mega giftast en ekki gefa blóð". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
- ^ Iceland: Lawsuit challenges ban on gay men donating blood Pink News, 4 November 2014
- ^ "Gay men should be allowed to give blood". Iceland Monitor.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Iceland May Soon Lift Ban On Gay Men From Donating Blood". The Reykjavík Grapevine. 3 September 2018.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Regnbågsfamiljers ställning i Norden Politik" (PDF). NIKK Publikationer. 2009. p. 269. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ The Gay Happiness Index. The very first worldwide country ranking, based on the input of 115,000 gay men Planet Romeo
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Iceland - GlobalGayz". www.globalgayz.com.
- ^ "Reykjavík Pride Parade Today". 8 August 2015.
- ^ "Reykjavík Pride Parade in Pictures". Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ^ Baldur, Thorhallsson (2018). Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs. Routledge. ISBN 9780429871801.
- ^ Gay Iceland | All You Need to Know. Guide to Iceland, Richard Chapman
- ^ Karla Zimmerman, Top 10 gay wedding destinations Lonely Planet, Our top 10 gay wedding destinations are not only gorgeous and romantic, but they also make it easy to get married on-site.
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Further reading[]
- Digoix, Marie (2020). Same-Sex Families and Legal Recognition in Europe. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-3-030-37054-1.
- LGBT rights in Iceland