Country Overview
Iceland
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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Iceland is progressive in public opinion and laws about LGBTIQ people, although gaps remain. Same-sex couples may marry and adopt, and employment discrimination against LGBTIQ people is banned. Transgender people may change their legal gender markers based on a self-determination model without medical intervention, and non-binary people may choose to use the gender marker ‘X’ on official documents. Medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex minors are banned in most cases. Public acceptance of LGBTIQ people has increased in recent decades, with most Icelanders supporting same-sex marriage. LGBTIQ Pride parades host many thousands of people, and government officials, including a prime minister have been openly LGBTIQ. Yet, transgender people continue to face barriers to accessing gender-affirming medical care. Anti-trans hate speech has become more common, and violence, bullying, and harassment remain serious issues.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
Europe and Central Asia
Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
Americas
Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
Pacific
Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.
Global
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Human Rights Research
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