Iceland’s Outstanding Progressive Values About Sexuality--by Dr. Allie Melendez

What’s it like to be a sitting First Lady in the world’s best place to be a working woman? 

Secrets of the Sprakkar, with a note and signature from the author to Allie!

Sprakkar - an ancient Icelandic word meaning “outstanding women”

Eliza Reid, The First Lady of Iceland, has lots to say about Iceland’s historic and present attitude toward women to give us non-Icelanders proof that closing the gender gap is possible. Upon hearing that Eliza was promoting her book, Secrets of the Sprakkar, at a local temple in Los Angeles, I proceeded to order a ticket, purchase her book, and binge it. Like the lifelong learner I am, I did my homework. 

Six years ago, Eliza was given a role with little to no job description when her husband, Gudni Johannesson, was elected President of Iceland. Eliza and Gudni’s love story needs to be written into a film script, with notable scenes involving Eliza winning her first date with Gudni in a raffle and Eliza proposing to Gudni in Cornwall. While we wait for a writer to turn Eliza’s love story into a movie, we can read Secrets of the Sprakkar and learn why her chapter on stigma-free sexuality is now required reading for my future students. 

Eliza Reid, The First Lady of Iceland

In the fourth chapter of Secrets of the Sprakkar, Eliza delves into the many ways that Iceland has progressive values about sexuality, such as how Icelandic children learn about birth control methods in elementary school, how the queer community is supported with legislation, and how there is “virtually no stigma” surrounding women who are single and/or young mothers, as well as women who engage in sexual activities. Eliza does not fail to mention various challenges that Iceland faces, such as the high rate of sexually transmitted infections and reports of sexual assault, because the Icelandic progressive attitudes have led to increased activism. This activism has inspired new laws to be both created and enacted, such as The Termination of Pregnancy Act, which legalizes “abortion on request” until the end of the 22nd week of pregnancy. 

In addition to providing concrete evidence that closing the gender gap is in everyone’s best interest, Secrets of the Sprakkar proves that women who point out injustices and double standards can be acknowledged and respected on a political stage. 

To read Stigma-Free Sexuality, as well as the other chapters of Secrets of the Sprakkar, purchase her book at your local independent bookstore. 

To watch Eliza Reid in conversation with Live Talks Los Angeles, click here.