LGBT+ Issues
Reykjavík City’s Human Rights Policy states that discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics is prohibited. It should not be assumed that all people are heterosexual and cisgender including staff, service recipients, and people in child care, recreational, educational, and cultural work. Reykjavík City Human Rights and Democracy Action Plan for 2019-2023 shows projects concerning LGBT+ issues.
Reykjavík City Rainbow Certification
All Reykjavík City workplaces can obtain Rainbow Certification. In order to obtain the certification, employees must participate in training on LGBT+ issues and examine the services provided by their workplace. In addition, an action plan must be devised for the purpose of making the workplace more LGBT+ friendly.
Trans children and schools
Trans children now come out both younger and to a greater extent than before, and schools are constantly realizing that they are not prepared for it. On this web page, information on trans children has been compiled along with two types of checklists, one for schools where a child has recently come out as a trans or is about to start studying at the school, and the other for schools that want to become 'trans friendly' regardless of whether they have trans students. A gender support plan for trans students has also been created.
LGBT+ children and schools
There are LGBT+ children in all schools and they are a diverse group, just like other children. However, LGBT+ children have in common the fact that they are outside the so-called norm in terms of sexual orientation, gender expression, sex characteristics, and/or gender identity. On this page you can find material such as checklists, definitions, and information about LGBT+ families, amongst other things.
Reykjavík City and Samtökin '78
Reykjavík City and the Queer Association of Iceland (Samtökin '78) signed a three-year service contract in 2021. Samtökin '78 have committed to provide services for LGBT+ people in Reykjavík, which includes LGBT+ education for children and youth in Reykjavík schools and recreation programs and counseling services for LGBT+ people and their families. The agreement also includes joint operation of Tjörnin’s LGBT+ youth center. Counseling and education for students can be requested from Samtökin '78 on their website, and the services are free of charge.
There is also a provision in the contract for free LGBT+ education from Samtökin '78 to sports clubs within the Reykjavík Sports Association.
Rainbow Cities
In 2019, Reykjavík City became a member of the Rainbow Cities Network, a platform for cities working on LGBT+ issues. Its goals are to share experiences and knowledge, work together, learn from each other, and build relationships.
Publications
Reykjavík City Human Rights & Democracy Office.
- In 2024, the poster "Supporting LGBT+ People” was distributed to City workplaces.
- In 2023, the City published a pamphlet in Icelandic about private changing rooms in Reykjavík pools. It included staff procedures and information about main users. The pamphlet is also available in English and Polish.
- In 2022, the Task Force on the Status of Gender and LGBT+ Education in Reykjavík City Schools and Recreation produced a report with information on the situation, research, a survey of staff, as well as suggestions for improvements.
- In 2021, a study was conducted on Teaching Materials for Gender and LGBT+ Education in Preschool and Primary Education supported by the Student Innovation Fund.
- In 2021, the Task Force on Gender Neutral Facilities in School and Recreation in Reykjavík City completed an informational report on the situation, City policy, and suggestions for improvements.
- In 2021, Reykjavík City published a brochure with guidance and information on How to Respond to Questions about Transgender People in Gender-Segregated Spaces, in Icelandic and English. The brochure was also published in Icelandic and Polish
- In 2020, Reykjavík City and Samtökin '78 published an updated version of the brochure What is Queer?, available in Icelandic and English, and also in Polish: Co to jest Queer?
- In 2019, the brochure LGBT+ People and Domestic Violence, which is part of the project Together Against Violence
- In 2015, a study was carried out on LGBT+ sex education in Reykjavík City’s primary schools, The Penis Will Find You: Heterosexuality, Primary School, and LGBT+ Sex Education
- In 2014, a study was conducted among LGBT+ staff working at the city of Reykjavík, “We Are Always Gay. Not Just When It Suits Others“. The experience of LGBT+ staff at Reykjavík City
Contact Þórhildur Elínardóttir Magnúsdóttir, the Office's LGBT+ specialist, to book education sessions or get more information: thorhildur.elinard.magnusdottir@reykjavik.is