Transgender woman makes history by becoming first to represent Iceland
For the first time, a trans woman has taken on the most prestigious role in Icelandās national day celebrations.
Eva ĆgĆŗsta AradĆ³ttir, an LGBT activist and photographer, was asked to be the Lady of the Mountain, a personification of the country who represents all its best qualities.
During Saturdayās national holiday, she stood on a stage in the middle of the celebrations and read a poem ā a tradition established in 1944, when Iceland became a republic.
She also wore the SkautbĆŗningur, the most honourable type of womenās Icelandic costumes.
AradĆ³ttir said the role was āa huge honour,ā GayIceland has reported.
It was even more significant because the part she played is supposed to symbolise everything good about the country.
āEspecially since the Lady of the Mountain is a female incarnation of Iceland, this is a huge honour for me and a validation of my being a woman,ā she said.
AradĆ³ttir added that her acceptance of the role was also validation for women who are differently abled or part of ethnic minorities.
She had been accepted as ājust as much a woman as all the others who are women in spite of what they look like, the colour of their skin, whether they have a disability or any other variation from the stereotype of a woman.
āHopefully, the stereotype is fading in the sense that all kinds of women will be accepted, because we are of all kinds.ā
When she was asked to be Lady of the Mountain, she recalled thinking āit would be thrilling, but (I) was hesitant at the same time.
āBut when they contacted me a few days later I thought it was an opportunity I couldnāt refuse ā a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be the Lady of the Mountain.ā
Speaking before she read out the poem by a fellow local woman, BryndĆs BjƶrgvinsdĆ³ttir, she said she had ānever done anything like thisā.
She had ānever participated formally in the festivities and of course never been a Lady of the Mountain anywhere,ā she said.
āIām not used to being in the public eye, but I do have some experience of public speaking so thatās not entirely new to me.
āBut this will certainly be exciting.ā
Earlier this year, the biggest airline in Iceland released an adorable advert featuring a same-sex couple.
Icelandairās brand manager explained that the company thought it was āonly naturalā to include a diverse set of people in its adverts, considering that was representative of its customers.
