The Rainbow Manifesto: Church and Society Responding to Issues Relating to Homosexuality in Iceland

Abstract

The situation of homosexual people in Icelandic society has changed drastically in the past two decades. Their legal rights have improved enormously, and the general attitude toward homosexuality has taken a U-turn. As a majority church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (ELCI) has been greatly challenged by questions regarding homosexulity and increasing legal rights of gay and lesbian people in Icelandic society. A reevaluation of presumptions and attitudes toward homosexuality and same sex relationships has been inevitable, while ordained ministers as well as parishoners have had to reconsider their ideas about the role and meaning of marriage. Since 2010, same sex couples have been allowed to get married within the church, as the ELCI has adopted a common liturgy for homosexual as well as heterosexual couples.