LGBT rights in Iceland

LGBT rights in Iceland
Template:Map caption Template:Map caption
Same-sex sexual activity legal?	Legal since 1940, age of consent equalized in 1992
Gender identity/expression	-
Recognition of relationships	Registered partnerships since 1996 Same-sex marriage not recognized
Adoption	Partners may adopt partner's biological children
Military service	Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly
Discrimination protections	Sexual orientation protections (see below)

Iceland, as culturally related to Scandinavia, is a very liberal and secular country concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights. The majority of the public is supportive of homosexuality and gay pride parades are held every August. 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 Government, which has recognised registered partnerships since 1996, is currently working on a same-sex marriage bill.

Former laws against homosexuality

Laws governing homosexuality were repealed in 1940. In 1992 The Althing passed a radical amendment (no. 40/1992) to the clauses in the section on public decency in the penal code of 1940, now renamed Sexual Offences. The age of consent was set at 14, - sexual intercourse between individuals, of 14 and above, was in other words legal as long as both parties consented. No distinction was now made between parties according to sex and all discrimination against homosexuals relating to the age of consent was eliminated.

Gender identity/expression

Transsexual persons have the right to change their legal gender.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Registered partnerships between same-sex couples became legal in 1996. In 2000, The Althing passed an amendment to the law on registered partnerships, no. 87/1996. According to this, the rights of foreign nationals living in Iceland were extended to allow them to register their partnerships here, and recognition was made of the reciprocal validity of this legal act in those countries that have comparable laws.

On 23 March 2010, the Government presented the bill, which would allow same-sex couples to marry. If passed the law will enter into force on 27 June 2010.

Adoption and family planning

Icelandic adoption laws include the right to adopt one's partners' biological children. Hereto on June 27, 2006, a new law went into force, making same-sex couples eligible for all adoption, surrogacy and insemination purposes.

Discrimination protections

The Althing passed amendments to clauses §180 and §233 of the general penal code, relating to discrimination on grounds of nationality, color, race, religion or sex, adding the words "on grounds of sexual orientation". 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.

Living conditions

Despite its small population, Reykjavík has a visible gay scene, with a couple of bars and cafes, and some places with a mixed gay and straight crowd. Elsewhere in Iceland, however, the sparse population means there is no gay scene.

Gay pride parades take place in Iceland every August.

LGBT rights movement in Iceland

Gay people have been represented by SamtÃkin '78 since it was founded in 1978. Campaigning for equality has changed the general attitudes of Icelanders over the years, and they are usually compared to the liberal attitudes of the other Nordic countries.

Summary table

Homosexuality legal	(since 1 May 1940)
Equal age of consent	(since 1992)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services	(since 1996)
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)	(since 1996)
Same-sex marriage(s)	(under government review)
Recognition of same-sex couples as de facto couples	(since 1996)
Recognition of same-sex couples as registered partnerships provided	(since 1996)
Both joint and step adoption by same-sex couples	(since 1 August 2006 for joint, since 1 June 2000 for step)
Gays allowed to serve openly in the military
Right to change legal gender
Equal access to "parental orders" for gay men with surrogacy arrangements	(from 1 January 2009)
Equal access to IVF and surrogacy for all couples and individuals	(since 2006)
Gay Prime Minister	(since 10 February 2009)
Parentage for lesbians who undergo IVF	(since 2006)
MSMs allowed to donate blood

External links

• Samtokin, LGBT-organisation in Iceland

Discuss

• Readers may use this email link to report errors and/or omissions they have discovered, or to add additional material or comments regarding this article "LGBT rights in Iceland"
• Wiki Staff should discuss this article in the Wiki Staff Forum
• Susan's Place Transgender Resources Forums
• Susan's Place Transgender Chat

---

Browse: Gender | Cross-dressing | Intersexuality | Transgender topics | Transsexualism | Hormone Therapy | Surgery | Standards of Care | Legal Information | Psychology | Transitioning | Family & Friends | People | Books | Abbreviations | Browse All Topics

Read the FAQ | Return to the Main Page
Want to help us? Write New Articles and/or Expand Current Articles

---

*Some information provided in whole or in part by http://en.wikipedia.org/