Building Belonging: ERGI’s Mission to Strengthen Queer Community in North Iceland (Eng)

Building Belonging: ERGI’s Mission to Strengthen Queer Community in North Iceland

Despite its presence, the queer community in North Iceland often goes unseen—dispersed across towns, fjords, and rural areas where visibility can feel like a risk. ERGI, a newly founded organization for queer students and young people in the region, aims to change that. “Many LGBTQ+ individuals outside of urban centers feel isolated or disconnected,” says Aðalbjörn Jóhannsson, chair of the group. “There’s no denying that access to support networks is more limited in the countryside compared to the capital region.”

Together with communications lead Snævar Óðinn Pálsson, Aðalbjörn is working to create something they both felt was missing: a safe, visible, and affirming space where queer people can gather, learn, and thrive.

Aðalbjörn at Reykjavík Pride in 2023, parading as part of a local LGBTQ+ group from North Iceland

A Community Rooted in Solidarity

“We know the desire is here,” says Aðalbjörn. “There’s a hunger for connection—for places that celebrate diversity and encourage people to show up as they are. That’s what ERGI is trying to nurture.”

He emphasizes that inclusive communities don’t just happen on their own. “They take intention and effort. People need to feel safe enough to take that first step—to reach out and find each other.”

When Visibility Disappears After the Flags Come Down

Events like the North Iceland Pride Festival have helped boost queer visibility in the region. But, as Aðalbjörn notes, they’re often fleeting. “It’s amazing to see rainbow flags flying on every street corner during the festival week. But the moment they come down, there’s a kind of silence again. That’s why we need spaces that last—ongoing spaces for connection and care.”

ERGI’s events—like movie nights and discussion meetups—are meant to be low-barrier entry points into community life. But the group has much bigger plans.

Envisioning a Queer Center for the North

“One of our long-term dreams is to establish a dedicated queer center in North Iceland,” says Aðalbjörn. “A place with shared resources, space for events and workshops, peer support, and access to counseling or advice. It would help improve the quality of life for LGBTQ+ people in the region, while also raising visibility and normalizing our presence.”

He also stresses the importance of representation in public discourse. “We want to be part of shaping the conversations happening in society—from a place of lived experience, knowledge, and dignity.”

Safety Is More Than a Feeling—It’s a Need

Amid growing backlash against queer rights globally, the need for such spaces has become more urgent. “People aren’t just worried about being accepted socially anymore. They’re worried about their physical safety,” says Aðalbjörn. “And even though I’m queer myself, I recognize my position of privilege as a cis gay man. When I talk to trans people—especially those going through gender transition—I see just how afraid many of them are becoming.”

He adds: “We should not be seeing people shrink themselves or retreat into hiding. But that’s happening, and that’s exactly why ERGI must exist.”

The Shift in Coming Out—and Why It’s Reversing

Both Aðalbjörn and Snævar are concerned about a trend they’ve noticed: children and teens are coming out later than they used to.

“For a while, we were seeing real progress,” Aðalbjörn explains. “Young people were coming out earlier—high school, middle school, even elementary school. But now, that age seems to be creeping up again, especially for boys. Some kids come out and then walk it back when they realize the reality they’re facing.”

The Surprising Sources of Resistance

Interestingly, it’s not always the older generation that resists change. “Grandparents have often been more accepting than expected,” Aðalbjörn notes with a laugh. “When I came out, I was sure my grandfather would struggle with it—he’s 50 years older than me and spent most of his life at sea. But he had no problem with it. Turns out, he already knew plenty of queer folks—and his own sister was a lesbian who moved to Denmark. I just didn’t know.”

Snævar adds that some of the resistance today seems to come from other directions. “Parents, not grandparents, are sometimes the biggest barrier now. And I think part of that has to do with how loud and visible certain voices of intolerance have become.”

They point to cultural figures like J.K. Rowling as examples of how high-profile rhetoric can reinforce harmful beliefs. “When public figures speak out against trans people, it has ripple effects,” says Snævar. “It emboldens others.”

Blame, Misinformation, and the Power of ‘Othering’

Studying sociology at the University of Akureyri, Aðalbjörn connects these issues to a wider concept: “What we call ‘othering’—framing someone as fundamentally different or separate—erodes empathy. And that’s what we’re seeing more of. Marginalized groups are being pushed further to the margins. They’re blamed for everything from literacy rates to social unrest.”

He mentions how some people have even blamed LGBTQ+ organizations for declining reading performance among boys. “That’s completely baseless,” he says, “but these narratives take hold, especially online. Comment sections are full of misinformation parading as truth.”

When Fear Crosses Borders

A group of queer friends who all grew up in North Iceland

Young queer people in Iceland are also absorbing fears from beyond the country’s borders, says Aðalbjörn. “Social media connects kids to stories from around the world. I’ve had conversations with teenagers here who are terrified to come out because they think they’ll be thrown out of their homes. That’s a very real fear for queer kids in the U.S., for example—but it’s much rarer here. Still, the fear is real for them, and we have to respond with care and honesty.”

Why Spaces Like ERGI Matter Now More Than Ever

“In times like this,” says Snævar, “it’s essential that people have places where they can talk openly, feel understood, and know they’re not alone. That’s what ERGI aims to offer—a community that listens, affirms, and stands together.”