Rinkevics sworn in as Latvian president, first gay EU head of state
Rinkevics sworn in as Latvian president, first gay EU head of state
Rinkevics was the longest-serving foreign minister in the country's history.
Bleh.
For years, Ireland had a gay Taoiseach. Yeah, he's not the president and so not the head of state but he's the one in power.
As far as I'm concerned the real Taoiseach was the dogs.
It's also a question of how far back we're willing to go.
A number of Roman rulers had homosexual relationships, including the Emperor Trajan, the Emperor Hadrian and his lover Antinous, and the Emperor Elagabalus.
...I guess it wasn't technically EU.
*openly gay. im sure there have been gay ones that kept it hidden.
Dirupo did it years ago as prime minister of Belgium
I think head of state refers to presidents/kings/queens depending on the type of state.
Luxembourg has a gay Prime Minister. While not Head of State because Lux still has a King, he is rather up there in terms of practicality.
Latvia is right next to Russia. Does this mean anyone reporting on the election of the leader of the country next door can be arrested in Russia for gay propaganda?
Does Latvia already allow same-sex marriage, or will Rinkevics actually try to have it implemented?
Bettel has been Prime Minister of Luxembourg for years now as well.
Prime Minister isn't the head of state, no?
I think it comes down to their respective positions, as head of state versus head of government. Luxembourg's PM is head of government, not state.
Leadership isn't something to screw around with, lives are at stake. Nobody should be put into a leadership position just because it's a new first time. I'd rather this posts title was "First competent polititian accomplished their goals and made life better for citizens, and they happen to be gay"
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I don't think anyone is saying he got the position because of his sexual position, but rather that he got it regardless of it. It's just some uplifting news that some countries have progressed enough to the point where a (voting) majority of the population don't mind an openly gay head of state.