LGBT Travellers to the Faroes

Photo: LGBT Føroyar

Faroe Pride is held annually on the 27th July

Given the Faroe Islands’ remoteness, one might expect the Faroese to be less aware of LGBT issues than their Nordic neighbours. However, the islands are home to a powerful LGBT movement that has driven a sea of change in attitudes towards homosexuality and other LGBT+ issues in recent years.

Following years of public activism, laws were introduced in 2006 that banned hate-speech based on sexual orientation. Since that time, life has vastly improved for LGBT citizens in the Faroe Islands. Same-sex marriage became legal in the Faroe Islands in July ‘17. Nevertheless, the Protestant state church is not obliged to take part in same-sex marriage ceremonies unless it expressly opts to do so. New regulations and public guidelines to improve the lives of transgendered people in the Faroe Islands have also been introduced, and a bill that would make it easier for a transgendered person to legally change their sex without invasive surgery and castration, has also been introduced to parliament but has yet to be passed. However, despite the recent change in the law, LGBT citizens still do not enjoy full equal rights in the Faroe Islands. The national LGBT organization, LGBT Føroyar, is therefore currently focusing on improving LGBT life and rights when it comes to parental rights, anti-discrimination, and better transgender treatments and rights.

Pride celebrations

Public support for the local LGBT movement is most evident at Faroe Pride, which always takes place on 27 July, the day before the national holiday, Ólavsøka. Around 10% of the population take part in the annual parade. The parade is a lively community-building event and is followed by a free concert featuring the biggest names in music from the Faroe Islands. There is also an annual Faroe Islands Minority Film Festival that usually takes places in the autumn.

Nightlife

Anyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender preference, is welcome to enjoy the club and bar scene in the Faroe Islands. Although there are no exclusively LGBT bars or clubs in the Faroe Islands, the hip and trendy nightclub-cum-bar, Sirkus Føroyar in Tórshavn, is a popular gay-friendly venue and occasionally hosts LGBT events as well as the annual Pride after-party.

Further information

If you’d like to know more about LGBT life in the Faroe Islands or to find out what current events are on, contact the national LGBT organization, LGBT Føroyar: lgbt@lgbt.fo, www.lgbt.fo, facebook.com/ lgbtforoyar.