The gay scene in Iceland is small but active and open. Gay and lesbian bars and clubs exist mainly in Iceland’s capital Reykjavík, but the northern branch of Akureyri grows every year.
Iceland as a gay-friendly destination has received rave reviews from visitors. It has landed on several top ten lists and was rated “5 pink stars” by Diva Magazine, a popular lesbian magazine in Europe.
PlanetRomeo’s Gay Happiness Index, a survey of gay men from more than 120 countries, ranked Iceland number 1 in the world.
In 2009, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir from Iceland became the first openly gay government leader in the modern world.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Iceland since 2010. The Church of Iceland even allows same-sex couples to marry in its churches and has done so since 2015. Gallup polls show that the vast majority of Icelanders support same-sex marriage.
Safety concerns for LGBTQ travelers in Iceland
There are no specific safety concerns for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) travelers in Iceland. With its modern, gay-friendly vibe, Iceland has come a long way since 1978, when the Icelandic Gay and Lesbian Organization, Samtökin’78, was founded in Reykjavik.
Today lesbian and gay people in Iceland are equal to heterosexual people in the eyes of the law and prejudice is on the retreat.
LGBTQ activities and events in Iceland
The Reykjavik Gay Pride event has grown into one of the largest celebrations in the nation, with more than 85,000 people attending the parade and festivities in downtown Reykjavik.
