LGBTQ rights in Iceland
LGBTQ rights in Iceland  | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Legal since 1940, age of consent equalized in 1992 |
| Gender identity | Change legal gender allowed |
| Military | No standing army |
| Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation protections (see below) |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriage since 2010 |
| Adoption | Both full joint and step-child adoption allowed |
Lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Iceland are very progressive. 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 parliament amended the marriage law on 11 June 2010 to define marriage as between two individuals, thereby making same-sex marriage legal. The law took effect on 27 June 2010.[1] Also, since 2006, same-sex couples can have access to adoption, IVF, and surrogacy.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
A law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity was repealed in 1940. In 1992 the age of consent was set at 14,[2] and in 2007 it was raised to 15, regardless of gender and sexual orientation.[3][4]
Recognition of same-sex unions
Registered partnerships for same-sex couples became legal in 1996.[5][6][7] It was replaced by the gender-neutral marriage law on 27 June 2010.
On 23 March 2010, the Government presented the bill, which would allow same-sex couples to marry.[8][9][10][11] On 11 June 2010 the parliament unanimously approved the bill.[1][12] The law took effect on 27 June.[13]
Transgender rights
On 11 June 2012, the Icelandic parliament unanimously voted into law the most transgender-friendly, and progressive laws of the Nordic countries, and indeed, the world.[14] These laws were enacted 27 June 2012, on the eve of the 43rd anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The laws state that the National University Hospital of Iceland (Template:Lang-is) is obligated to create a department dedicated to diagnosing gender dysphoria (GID), as well as performing gender reassignment surgery (SRS). After successfully completing an 18 month process, including living 12 months in their newly elected gender, applicants appear before a committee of professionals. If the committee determine that a diagnosis of GID is appropriate, the National registry is informed and the applicant chooses a new name to reflect their new gender and are issued a new social security number and ID. Sex Reassignment Surgery is not required for an official name- and gender change. Unlike other Nordic countries, Iceland does not require trans people to undergo sterilization to officially obtain a new sex.[citation needed]
Adoption and family planning
Since 27 June 2006, Icelandic same-sex couples became eligible to a range of laws including public access to IVF insemination treatment, surrogacy and both full joint adoption and adopting your own partner's biological children.[7]
Discrimination protections
The Icelandic law prohibits discrimination and hate speech/crime based on sexual orientation since 1996.[2]
Living conditions
Despite its small population, Reykjavík has a visible gay scene, with a few bars and cafés, and some places with a mixed gay and straight crowd. Elsewhere in Iceland, however, the sparse population means there is no gay scene.[15] Akureyri the biggest urban outside the capital area, doesn't have any gay bars, despite the town having a population of about 17,700. There has been no studies whether such business would be profitable or not, in the town. Gay pride parades in Iceland are usually held in August.[15]
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal |  (since 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 | (since 2010)
|
| Recognition of same-sex unions | (since 1996)
|
| Adoption by same-sex couples | (since 2006)
|
| Gay people allowed to serve openly in the military | N/A (no standing army) |
| Right to change legal gender |
|
| Equal access to IVF and surrogacy for all couples and individuals | (since 2006)
|
| MSMs allowed to donate blood[16] | 
|
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Iceland parliament votes for gay marriage
- ^ a b Homosexuality and the Law - Fragments of Icelandic History
- ^ (Icelandic) The Icelandic Penal Code
- 202. gr. Hver sem hefur samræði eða önnur kynferðismök við barn, yngra en 15[fimmtán] ára, skal sæta fangelsi ekki skemur en 1[eitt] ár og allt að 16[sextán] árum.
- Section 202 Anyone who has carnal intercourse or other sexual intimacy with a child younger than 15 years shall be subject to imprisonment for at least 1 year and up to 16 years.
- 202. gr. Hver sem hefur samræði eða önnur kynferðismök við barn, yngra en 15[fimmtán] ára, skal sæta fangelsi ekki skemur en 1[eitt] ár og allt að 16[sextán] árum.
- ^ Hver er samræðisaldur á Íslandi? ("What is the age of consent in Iceland?") on Vísindavefurinn
- ^ "Iceland : Recognized partnership law, 1996". France.qrd.org. 1 July 1996. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Partnership Law In Iceland". France.qrd.org. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ a b "Important Improvements in Gay and Lesbian Rights in Iceland". Ilga-europe.org. 12 June 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ Iceland Likely to Permit Gay Marriage by June
- ^ Iceland is fine-tuning marriage-equality bill
- ^ "Frumvarp til laga um breytingar á hjúskaparlögum og fleiri lögum og um brottfall laga um staðfesta samvist (ein hjúskaparlög)". Alþingi. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ Hjúskaparlög, staðfest samvist o.fl. (ein hjúskaparlög)
- ^ Iceland passes gay marriage law in unanimous vote
- ^ "New gay marriage law in Iceland comes into force". Icenews.is. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b Gay Iceland
- ^ http://www.dv.is/frettir/2010/6/16/mega-giftast-en-ekki-gefa-blod/
