Jon Gnarr kicked off the festival in dragThe 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.
