World

Iceland president trolls Mike Pence by wearing rainbow bracelet for meeting

Sep 06 2019
Written by Emma Powys Maurice

Iceland president Guðni Jóhannesson sports a rainbow bracelet for his meeting with Mike Pence (Twitter/@markknoller)

As Mike Pence reached Iceland, the latest stop on his European tour, the Icelandic president greeted him with a strong handshake – while pointedly wearing a rainbow bracelet on his wrist.

On Wednesday, September 4, Iceland’s president Guðni Jóhannesson met with the US vice president at Höfði House in Reykjavík for official talks.

Witnesses noted that Iceland’s first lady, Eliza Reid, also wore a similar bracelet to the meeting.

It was a not-so-subtle nod to Iceland’s reputation as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, and a reminder to Pence of the strong cultural differences when it comes to LGBT+ equality.

Jóhannesson donned the same bracelet when in talks with Putin who, like Mike Pence, also supports many anti-LGBT+ policies.

also, Iceland‘s President Jóhannesson wore a rainbow bracelet (as he did while meeting with Putin) during photo op with Pence today pic.twitter.com/kCAUzUiafo

— Justin Sink (@justinsink) September 4, 2019

Other Icelanders made no attempt at subtlety, with Reykjavík businesses flying dozens of rainbow flags in a strong display of LGBT+ solidarity from the Nordic country.

Tech company Advania, which flew the flag from its HQ next to Höfði House, explained to The Reykjavik Grapevine: “This wasn’t a decision made by any one person.

“Rather, we decided as a group that today would be a good day to celebrate diversity.”

Here’s a great example of why I’m proud to be from Iceland ??Mike Pence is visiting the country and everyone is outraged. Mayor of Reykjavik, all the biggest firms and companies, everyone, they’re all flying the gay flag. All Pence will see everywhere on his visit is gay gay gay. pic.twitter.com/XemgBk7TjU
— Heklina (@Heklina) September 4, 2019

Before he arrived in Iceland, Pence made a two-day official visit to Ireland, the birthplace of his grandparents.

His visit attracted significant controversy, from his praise of UK prime minister Boris Johnson and his Brexit strategy to his decision to stay 181 miles away from Dublin at Trump’s five-star golf resort.

Pence’s stay at the luxurious Trump Hotel was funded by taxpayers’ money, and was held as proof that “corruption has become routine” under Trump.

And locals in the nearby village of Doonbeg clearly weren’t happy about their famous guest either, as not a single one showed up to greet him on his arrival.