LGBTQ Legal Status
The history of LGBT rights in Iceland is a story of rapid transformation. Once a conservative, rural society that mirrored Danish laws, Iceland has evolved into one of the world's most progressive nations for LGBT rights. It notably became the first country in the world to have an openly gay head of government.
Here is the historical overview of the legalization of homosexuality and gay rights in Iceland.
Phase I: Decriminalization & Quiet Tolerance (1940–1975)
For centuries, Iceland followed the Danish Penal Code. When Iceland began separating its legal system from Denmark, it moved to decriminalize relatively early, though social stigma remained high.
1869: The Penal Code criminalizes "intercourse against nature," mirroring Danish law.
1940: Decriminalization. In a new Penal Code, the provision criminalizing homosexuality is removed.
Note: This was significantly earlier than the UK (1967) or USA (2003).
However, the age of consent remained unequal. It was set at 18 for same-sex acts, while it was 16 for heterosexual acts.
1975: Hörður Torfason, a famous musician, becomes the first public figure in Iceland to come out as gay in a magazine interview. The backlash was severe (he lost his job and home), sparking the beginning of the Icelandic rights movement.
Phase II: Organization & Basic Rights (1978–2006)
The late 20th century saw the formation of Samtökin '78 (The National Queer Organization) and the dismantling of discriminatory laws.
1978: Samtökin '78 is founded. It remains the central lobbying group for LGBT rights in Iceland today.
1992: Age of Consent Equalized. The discriminatory age of consent is removed, setting it at 14 for everyone, regardless of gender or orientation.
1996: Registered Partnerships (Staðfest samvist) are introduced.
Iceland becomes the fourth country in the world to legally recognize same-sex unions.
These partnerships granted almost all the rights of marriage, except for adoption and church weddings.
2006: Adoption & IVF. Parliament passes a law allowing same-sex couples in registered partnerships to jointly adopt children and access assisted reproductive technology (IVF) on equal terms with heterosexual couples.
Phase III: Marriage & The First Gay Prime Minister (2009–2010)
This period thrust Iceland onto the global stage, as its political leadership embodied the progress the country had made.
2009 (February): Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir becomes Prime Minister of Iceland.
She is the first openly gay head of government in modern world history.
Her appointment normalized LGBT leadership globally.
2010 (June 27): Same-Sex Marriage Legalized.
The Althing (Parliament) votes 49–0 to amend the marriage law to be gender-neutral.
Registered partnerships are discontinued (though existing ones remain).
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and her partner, Jónína Leósdóttir, were among the first couples to marry under the new law.
Phase IV: Trans Rights & Bodily Autonomy (2012–Present)
Recent years have focused on expanding rights for the transgender and non-binary community, moving away from medical diagnosis toward self-determination.
2012: A comprehensive law on the legal status of transgender people is passed, but it still required a medical diagnosis to change legal gender.
2019: The Gender Autonomy Act (Lög um kynrænt sjálfræði) is passed.
Self-ID: It allows individuals to change their legal gender without medical diagnosis or surgery.
"X" Marker: It introduces a third gender option ("X") on passports and official documents for non-binary people.
2023: Conversion Therapy Ban. A law is passed criminalizing "conversion practices" that attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
2024: Blood Donation. Restrictions on blood donation for men who have sex with men are revised to align closer to the rules for the general population (moving away from long deferral periods).
Historical Timeline
1940: Decriminalization of homosexuality.
1978: Founding of Samtökin '78 (National Queer Organization).
1992: Age of consent equalized (at 14).
1996: Registered Partnerships legalized.
2006: Full joint adoption and IVF access legalized.
2009: Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir becomes first gay Prime Minister in the world.
2010: Same-sex Marriage legalized (Unanimous vote).
2019: Gender Autonomy Act (Self-ID and "X" gender marker).
2023: Conversion therapy banned.
