There are several stages of life that are easier than adolescence, when life is a bit upside down, the body is changing at an astronomical rate, and relationships, boundaries, and attitudes are constantly being re-evaluated. It is important for teenagers and young adults to have a safe haven; a place where they can be themselves, socialize with their peers, and belong. In recent years, there has been a great growth in queer social activities for teenagers and young adults, and queer meetups and community centers have sprung up.
English
Here is an overview of queer social activities for young people across the country.
Please note that opening hours may change, so it is best to look for information on the social centers' Instagram pages or from the staff at the relevant social centers.
Reykjavík
The LGBTQ community center of Samtakanni '78 and the Tjarnin leisure center
The LGBT community center of Samtakanni '78 and the Tjarnin leisure center is for all young people aged 10-16 who are gay or connected to gay issues in one way or another. The goal of the activities is to work systematically to improve the public health of gay children, adolescents and young people and to work against prejudice, discrimination and bullying directed against gay children in school and leisure activities.
Age: 10-16 years old.
Location:
10-12 years old The substation at Barónsstígur
13-16 years old The substation at Barónsstígur
Instagram: gayfriendsmidstods78
Youth House of the Association '78
The Youth Center of the Association '78 is for all young people aged 16-18 who are queer or connected to queer issues in one way or another. The goal of the activities is to work systematically to improve the public health of young queer people and to work against prejudice, discrimination and bullying directed against young people in school and leisure activities.
Age: 16-18 years old.
Location:
South Street 3
Instagram: youth house78
New
HinUng is a social activity aimed at young people aged 18-25 who are queer, are interested in queer issues or want to meet people where all are welcome.
Age: 18-25 years old
Location: The '78 Association // Suðurgata 3, Reykjavík
Instagram: gay.young
The Gay Station
Gaymstöðin is the queer community center of the Kringlumýr leisure center. The goal of the work is to create a safe space for queer youth and bridge the gap between queer work and traditional community center work. At Gaymstöðin, queer youth in Laugardalur get to know staff from various Kringlumýr establishments, which hopefully strengthens further participation in the platform.
Age: 13-16 years old
Location: The Temple // Leirulækur 2 // The Outbuildings at Laugalækjaskóli
Instagram: gaymstodin
Gay Breiðholt
NOT EMPLOYED
Hinsegin Breiðholt is a queer opening organized by the Miðberg leisure center. All young people aged 13-16 who are queer or interested in queer issues are welcome. The young people decide on a diverse program themselves and many are also active in the work of the Hinsegin community center. Hinsegin Breiðholt wants to increase visibility in the neighborhood, provide a safe and fun environment and create good connections.
Age: 13-16 years old
Location: Hellirinn Community Center // Kleifarsel 18
Instagram: queerbreidholt
Sikkim
NOT EMPLOYED
Sikkris is a platform for all queer youth and a collaborative project between the leisure centers Brúinn (Reykjavík) and Bólínn (Mosfellsbær), with staff from Sigyn, Bólínn and Brúnn. Sikkris has facilities in Hóllinn in Grafarvogur, which is a special community center. Young people are free to come and go as they please and a strong emphasis is placed on creating a safe space for everyone so that they feel comfortable and can be themselves.
Age: 13-18 years old
Location: The Palace // Egilsholl
Instagram: sikkris.hinsegin
Hafnarfjörður
HHH - Gay Hittingur in Hafnarfjörður
HHH – Gay Meetup in Hafnarfjörður is designed for young people in grades 5-10 who identify as gay in some way, are interested in gay issues, and are interested in gay issues. You can also come as a supporter if you know someone who could benefit from attending. The goal of the work is for the young people to feel safe, welcome, and have the opportunity to flourish in their own way. The work is largely based on peer education, and the young people will be tasked with raising awareness of gay youth issues and celebrating diversity in Hafnarfjörður.
Age: 5th-10th grade
Location: The Vitinn Community Center in the gymnasium at Lækjarskóli
Instagram: gayhittingurihfj
Kopavogur
Gay Felko
The LGBTQ community center in Kópavogur (Hinsegin Félkó) began operations in November 2022. The goal of the work is for young people to feel safe, welcome and have the opportunity to flourish in their own way. The work is largely based on peer education, and the young people will be tasked with raising awareness of LGBTQ youth issues and celebrating diversity in Kópavogur.
We started with openings for teenagers in grades 8-10 who identify as queer in some way, are interested in queer issues, and/or are simply interested in queer issues. Friends are also welcome.
Age: 8th-10th grade // The goal is to open the program to more age groups.
Location: Felkó // Fannborg 2
Instagram: queer_felko
Mosfell town
The ball
The Bólsinn Community Center's LGBT Club was founded in 2019 and is a platform where everyone can be themselves and provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about LGBT issues. The LGBT Club is for all kids aged 13-18, but anyone interested in LGBT issues is welcome and can participate in the events that are held each time.
The goal is to create a platform where everyone can be themselves and learn more about these issues. Everyone is welcome to the club and can participate in the events that are held. We meet every other Thursday evening at 19:30 – 21:45. The first openings will be on September 19 and 26, after that it will be open every other Thursday. There are mixed, relaxed meetings with, for example, discussion, learning, game & movie nights. But we also visit other organizations and receive all kinds of education. The club's coordinator is Elísa Ósk Níelsdóttir, elisan[hja]mos.is If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call 566-6058 or send an email to bolid[hja]mos.is.
Age: 13 – 16 years old
Location: The Lágó Ból Community Center
Skólabraut 2 / outdoor area at Lágafellsskóli, 270 Mosfellsbær
Instagram: @hinseginbolid
Akureyri
Gay Friend
Hinsegin FÉLAK are queer openings organized by the community centers in Akureyri. The work began in 2019 and has been growing steadily since then. All young people aged 13-16 who are queer or connect in some way with queer issues are welcome to participate in the work. The goal of the work is to provide queer young people with a platform and opportunity to meet in a safe environment, increase the visibility of queerness, educate and reduce prejudice. The dream is to be able to expand the activities in the coming months with work for middle school and 16-18 year olds.
Age: 13-16 years old // The plan is to expand the activities and offer work for other age groups
Location: Rósenborg Youth House // Skólastígur 2
Instagram: @hinsegin_felak
tree
Celsius
Gay Zelsíus are gay openings organized by the community center in Árborg. Gay openings in Zelsíuz every Thursday at 19:30-21:30 for all young people in 8th-10th grade.
Age: 8th-10th grade
Location: Zelsíus Youth House // Valhöll, Tryggvagata 23b
Instagram: @hinseginzelsiuz