The National Queer Organization, Samtokin '78, have awarded Reykjavik´s Mayor, Mr. Jón Gnarr, filmmaker Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir and the US Embassy The LGBT 2013 Human Rights Awards. The Human Rights Awards are given annually to individuals and Organization for their contribution to the humanitarian cause and outstanding work for the LGBT community in Iceland.

Mayor Jón Gnarr has been very outspoken about human rights and has been a strong supporter of LGBT people in Iceland and around the world. He has participated in Reykjavik Gay Pride in past years, submitted a proposal to end Reykjavík’s partnership with Moscow, on account of the Russian capital’s stance on gay rights and recently he sent an official letter to the Vatican criticising their stand on gay rights.

Reykjavik Gay Pride program guide is out and available online. The Program guide has all the information you need about the coming up Reykjavik Gay Pride which has an early start August 6th. The program guide also includes information about performing artist, articles and interviews and practical information for visitors. The program guide is in Icelandic and English. You can also grab your free copy at the Gay Pride service center located inside bookstore Ida (Lækjargata 2, city center). The dates for Reykjavik Gay Pride are August 6th to 11th.

Visit Reykjavik Gay Pride website for more information about the event, read Gay Pride Program Guide online or check out list of events for Gay Pride 2013.

Happy Pride!

The annual Iceland´s Drag Queen and King Competition took place in Harpa last night with some fierce queens and funky kings trying to get their hands on the trophy. Beauty is certanly pain when it comes to drag but this was the 16th time the competition takes place.   In the end two Foxy Ladies claimed the Queen´s trophy with a style but the singing charmer Brjánn Hróðmarsson took the trophy in the king´s department. Pictures from last night´s performance.

The Mayor of Reykjavik, Mr. Jon Gnarr, has submitted a proposal to end Reykjavík’s partnership with Moscow, on account of the Russian capital’s stance on gay rights. In an announcement from Mayor's office all agreements between Reykjavik and Moscow shall be terminated due to recent development in Russia. “In light of the developments that have taken place in recent years in matters of gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Russia, the Human Rights Office and the Mayor’s Office have entrusted the deputy mayor to propose amendments to the existing agreement between the two cities or terminate it all together following consultation with the Foreign Ministry,” read the minutes from the City Council meeting.