Foreign Minister Criticises Catholic Church Remarks on Homosexuality

2026-03-04 - 12:06

Iceland’s Foreign Minister has publicly criticised comments from Icelandic representatives of the Catholic Church regarding same-sex attraction. As reported by RÚV, she stated on social media that the language used risks encouraging harmful attitudes. What's the Story? Criticism by Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir following remarks by representatives of the Catholic Church about suppressing homosexuality Response posted on Facebook after a radio interview with the church’s chancellor Reference to 2023 law passed by the Althingi banning repressive treatments aimed at changing sexual orientation Landakotskirkja Catholic Church in Iceland. Photo: Ben Kucinski. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. Church comments challenged Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir responded in a Facebook post after the church’s chancellor stated in a radio interview that the church assists people in suppressing their attraction to the same sex. “I ask my church to take a step back,” the minister wrote. Þorgerður herself has said she is a member of the Catholic Church, She said she was saddened by the rhetoric and warned that describing homosexuality as something that should be changed could have serious consequences. Pride celebrations in Iceland. Photo: Art Bicnick. Iceland Review Among her comments, she stated, “talking about homosexuality as a problem that needs to be ‘fixed’ or ‘changed’ is not only hurtful, it is dangerous. I can’t interpret this as anything other than an encouragement to repression. Such treatments have caused immeasurable harm.” In her remarks, Þorgerður referred to legislation passed by the Alþingi in 2023 banning so-called repressive treatments aimed at changing sexual orientation. “After all, they are one of the grossest manifestations of prejudice against gay people. And they violate our fundamental ideas of freedom and human rights.” She also rejected religious interpretations suggesting homosexuality should be altered. “I completely reject the interpretation that it is Jesus Christ’s policy that homosexuals should change who they are.”