Advocacy Amidst Backlash: Iceland's Response to Anti-LGBTQIA+ Policies in Europe

Abstract

As populist and nationalist movements grow in places like Poland, Hungary, Italy, and the UK, this thesis looks at Iceland's reaction to the growing backlash against LGBTQIA+ people in Europe. It examines whether Iceland's behaviour is a planned response to Europe's backlash of LGBTQIA+ rights or a continuation of the country’s history of fighting for human rights. The study uses small state theory, liberal institutionalism, and constructivism to look at Iceland's diplomatic tactics in the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly, the Nordic Council, and the Council of Europe, among other international groups. In addition, it looks at how domestic social movements, specifically Samtökin '78, have shaped Iceland's work to promote its interests abroad. The results show that Iceland sees itself as a normative actor, using its history of progress domestically and strong partnerships with civil society to project influence around the world. Iceland has a rich history of fighting for human rights, but recent events have made their actions more urgent and specific in response to the backlash in Europe. Still, it is hard to say how much Iceland's efforts in the international arena, have been instrumental in global change. The thesis concludes that Iceland is an example of how small states can use soft power to their advantage. But it also showcases how difficult it is to determine the effect small states have in the international arena. It is suggested that more studies need to be done to figure out if Iceland's support for LGBTQIA+ rights is a direct response to the backlash in Europe or if it is simply a continuation of Iceland’s strategy in the international arena.