LGBT literature in Iceland

LGBT literature in Iceland consists of literary works written by Icelandic authors that contain plots, themes, or characters which are part of or related to LGBT people. The first Icelandic literary references to homosexuality are found in the Sagas of Icelanders, particularly in Njáls saga. Its protagonist has a friendship which some researchers have described as homoerotic.[1][2]

During the 20th century one of the most prominent queer authors was the bisexual writer Elías Mar, who published several novels in the 1940s with characters showing internal conflicts which some critics have interpreted as the result of their repressed homosexuality, particularly Man eg þig löngum (1949).[3][4] In 1960, Mar also published the story "Saman lagt spott og speki", considered the first Icelandic literary work with an openly homosexual theme.[5] Other notable LGBT authors of the 20th century were Guðbergur Bergsson, Nína Björk Árnadóttir and Vigdís Grímsdóttir.[6]

The 21st century has seen the appearance of a growing number of works with LGBT themes, by authors like Jónína Leósdóttir, Lilja Sigurdardottir, or Sjón, who have explored the theme in genres such as young adult fiction and detective fiction.[6][7][8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference petzold was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Rydström 2007, pp. 118–119.
  3. ^ Benediktsdóttir 2020, pp. 267–268.
  4. ^ Benediktsdóttir 2020, pp. 262–267.
  5. ^ Rydström 2007, p. 127.
  6. ^ a b Cohen, Hannah Jane (28 July 2018). "The Queer Canon Of Iceland: Ásta Kristín Benediktsdóttir Explores An Oft-Ignored Topic". [ [Reykjavík Grapevine]]. Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference sjon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference jonina was invoked but never defined (see the help page).