Singer Róberta Andersen: 'I was just waiting for it to stop, for me to somehow change'

Singer Róberta Andersen describes her long struggle with her sexuality before coming out, a process she initially tried to suppress. "I was just waiting for it to stop, for me to somehow change," Andersen shared, reflecting on her past.

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I was just waiting for it to stop, for me to somehow change.

Andersen and fellow singer Helga Margrét Clarke are preparing for a concert titled "Hinsegin hádegistónum" (Queer Midday Tunes) at the Kópavogur Library. The performance, scheduled during Reykjavík's Pride festival from August 4-9, will feature music by queer composers and artists. Both musicians highlight the significance of visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Andersen explained that a lack of visibility and role models impacted her self-esteem during her formative years. She described the extensive effort required to build her self-image and gain the confidence to be her authentic self. "I think for my part, it would have been much better if there had been more visibility when I was growing up and this had been more present in my mind as part of being human, part of the normal spectrum of being human in the spectrum of existence, somehow."

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I think for my part, it would have been much better if there had been more visibility when I was growing up and this had been more present in my mind as part of being human, part of the normal spectrum of being human in the spectrum of existence, somehow.

She added that seeing other queer people helped her accept herself, alleviating the feeling of carrying a "terrible secret." Andersen noted that overcoming these feelings was a lengthy process, with each step toward openness making it easier. "I felt that way for a very long time, and it was a lot of trouble for me to work through it. It took me a very long time."

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It helped me to accept this. That one doesn't have to shut oneself off and feel like one is some kind of rubbish with some terrible secret that no one is allowed to know about.

Clarke echoed Andersen's sentiments, agreeing that more role models could have strengthened her self-perception in her youth. Andersen emphasized that confronting oneself was the initial step, requiring a serious commitment rather than passively waiting for change. "You just have to make the decision to take the step and just do it, if you realize for yourself that this is what you need to do, and I realized that," she said.

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I felt that way for a very long time, and it was a lot of trouble for me to work through it. It took me a very long time.