Reykjavik's mayor opens Pride in drag
Jon Gnarr
kicked off the festival in drag
The mayor of Reykjavik has
opened the city's Pride celebrations in drag.
Jon Gnarr, a comedian,
kicked off festivities last night dressed in a blonde wig, floral dress and red
lipstick.
He told the crowds: "I
am here in the absence of Mayor Gnarr as he is too busy to attend. I wonder if
he is still in Moomin Valley [Gnarr recently visited Finland, where the
children's fiction The Moomins is set].
"This is what happens
when the people elect a clown as a major."
A PinkNews.co.uk reader who
was present at the ceremony said: "Mr Gnarr was a hit to say the least,
not only showing up in a drag but making fun of himself in the speech."
Mr Gnarr, who is also an
actor, became mayor in June after forming the Best Party.
Around 50,000 people are
expected to join tomorrow's march in the Icelandic capital, which will be
followed by an outdoor concert.
Last year, Iceland became
the first country in the world to elect an out gay prime minister. Social
Democrat leader Johanna Sigurdardottir formed a left-wing coalition with the
Left-Green Movement.
She married her long-term
partner Jonina Leosdottir in June, shortly after the country's gay marriage law
came into effect.