On Wednesday August 8th four exhibitions open in the Town hall, Ráðhús Reykjavíkur. They all celebrate diversity and the importance of human rights. One of them will show photos from Reykjavik Gay Pride though the years from photographers  Geir Ragnarsson and Bára Kristinsdóttir. The first Reykjvavik Gay Pride was in 1999 when 1500 persons gathered at Ingólfstorg and then grew each year to become one of the three biggest annual events in Reykjavik in recent years.

But the first prides were in 1993 and 1994. Gayice has two exclusive photos from the 1994 pride by photographer Jón Örn Bergsson. The yellow banner says “Gay and lesbian liberation walk 1994”. Pictured above holding the rainbow flag and balloons up Hverfisgata is Þorvaldur Kristinsson, one of the main driving forces in the gay rights and Reykjavik Gay Pride movements. He's always close to the signature balloon snake that weaves its way through the crowd and disintegrates when all the balloons are released at the end of each Gay Pride.

The other displays show the winning photos from human rights themed photo competition, historical LGBT documents, publications, signs and more.

More information on this event here.

Geir Ragnarsson's photos from Reykjavik Gay Pride are online on www.pbase.com/geirr/gaypride

Bára Kristinsdótti's website: www.baraljos.is