Contract with Samtökin’ 78 renewed for three years
Reykjavík City has signed a three-year contract with Samtökin '78 — The National Queer Organisation of Iceland. The contract provides LGBT+ education for staff in Reykjavík City's school and recreational activities, students in the 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades of the city's primary schools, and members of the city's sports clubs. The agreement also allocates funding for counseling services to offer support sessions for LGBT+ people and their immediate family.
Working toward visibility and recognition
Samtökin '78 — The National Queer Organisation of Iceland works to increase visibility and recognition of LGBT+ people and advocates for them to enjoy full rights in Icelandic society. The organization works to change prejudice, contempt, and hostility toward LGBT+ people into recognition, reconciliation, and human dignity through counseling, various forms of support, and education.
These organizational goals align with Reykjavík City's objectives, as reflected in the City's Human Rights Policy. The City Executive Council approved renewing the contract at its meeting on Sept. 4.
Proud of the partnership with Samtökin '78
Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir and Kári Garðarsson, executive director of Samtökin '78 — The National Queer Organisation of Iceland, signed the contract at Reykjavík City Hall today. Both expressed satisfaction with the new contract, and Kári said the support for the organization is extremely important. The City has had a service contract with the organization longer than any other municipality. "These are important services for LGBT+ people but also for immediate family, teachers and others who want to do the right thing and help create a good society, which is obviously our goal. I'm proud of this contract and this partnership, which has been strong and good," the mayor said at the signing.
Supporting the organization's counseling services
The contract provides specific funding for counseling services, and the organization commits to offering LGBT+ people social and counseling services from professionals with specialized knowledge in LGBT+ issues. "An important part of our work is offering free, easily accessible counseling for our people, their immediate family and others who need it. These services are in high demand, and it means everything to us to be able to offer such counseling," Kári says.
The contract runs for three years with an annual cost of 15.1 million króna.