 Prior to 2012, LGBT rights was not a high-profile issue in the Faroe Islands.The Faroe Islands had been viewed by neighboring countries and worldwide media as a homophobic country for a long time.Generally, this was because religious observance is stronger and more widespread in the Faroe Islands than any other Nordic country, and due to the lack of LGBT rights, such as recognition of same-sex unions, particularly when compared with other Nordic countries.