ERGI: A New Inclusive Space for Queer Students in North Iceland (Eng)

ERGI: A New Inclusive Space for Queer Students in North Iceland

A new queer student organization, ERGI, has launched in North Iceland with a bold and inclusive mission. Though the group was founded by and for LGBTQ+ students, its doors are open to everyone, regardless of study status or background. “You don’t have to be enrolled in school to participate in our events or join the board,” says Aðalbjörn Jóhannsson, the organization's chair (or stýri, a gender-neutral Icelandic term for leader).

Responding to a Clear Need

The idea for ERGI grew out of a recognized need: queer youth and students living in rural Iceland often lack access to the support networks and social events that are more readily available in the capital region. “We wanted to focus on young people and students outside the Reykjavík area,” says Aðalbjörn. “There’s a real shortage of spaces that reflect their reality—spaces for connection, education, and mutual support.”

Snævar Óðinn Pálsson, ERGI’s communications officer, agrees. “Although we call ourselves a student group, our mission is broader: to build visibility, provide education, encourage research, and foster community. Our members live and work all over the country, not just in university settings.”

Rooted in Akureyri, Reaching Farther

While ERGI is based in Akureyri, the group is working to build a network that extends across the North. One of its key collaborators is the University of Akureyri (HA), which has strong programs in gender studies and an active equality committee.

“We’ve had great support from the university,” says Aðalbjörn, a social sciences student at HA. “They’ve welcomed us, given us space to meet, and we see huge potential for future collaboration. We even dream about Akureyri becoming a hub for queer studies in Iceland someday.”

More Than Just for Students

Unlike some student groups, ERGI aims to serve a wide age range. “Other local organizations, like Hinsegin Norðurland, do amazing work for children and teenagers,” Aðalbjörn notes. “But we saw a gap when it came to young adults and older queer folks. We want to be there for them too.”

With years of experience in education, Aðalbjörn emphasizes the importance of queer education in schools. “If you work in a school, you’re working with queer kids—even if you don’t realize it,” he says. “Most people mean well, but they often doubt themselves and worry about getting it wrong. That uncertainty holds people back. We’re here to help build that confidence, with a professional and experienced approach.”

Expanding into Healthcare and Beyond

Snævar hopes the group’s educational efforts can reach even further. “One of my dreams is to bring queer education into the healthcare system,” he says. “Many people I know went through nursing or occupational therapy programs without ever encountering queer topics in their studies.”

Aðalbjörn adds that in smaller communities, queer people often share names of LGBTQ+-friendly healthcare professionals—or warn each other about bad experiences. “That shouldn’t be necessary,” he says. “We need to make sure inclusive education reaches every professional sector.”

Community, Events, and Growth

ERGI’s activities are already underway, with game nights and movie evenings drawing participants from various backgrounds. “We don’t pretend to speak for all queer people in the North,” says Aðalbjörn. “It’s a diverse community with different needs. But we want to offer consistent opportunities to meet, learn, and have fun together.”

The group also emphasizes accessibility: membership is not required to attend events. “People can just show up,” says Snævar. “But if they do want to join officially, they can email us at ergi@ergi.is and get more involved.”

Looking Ahead: Education, Outreach, and Inclusion

As the organization grows, so does its ambition. ERGI plans to offer educational talks and workshops for schools, workplaces, and healthcare providers. “We’re especially focused on being mobile,” says Aðalbjörn. “We want to bring our work to communities beyond Akureyri.”

They also plan to participate in orientation events for new students at HA and make a point of welcoming international students and residents. “Many of our events are in English,” Snævar notes. “We’re very open to people with diverse backgrounds.”