In A First In Europe, Latvia’s Government Has Elected Its First Openly Gay President
“I proudly announce I am gay… Good luck all of you…”, Edgars Rinkēvičs wrote in his coming out tweet in 2014.
The government of Latvia has elected the country’s first openly gay president.
Foreign minister Edgars Rinkēvičs was elected by lawmakers as president of Latvia, a largely ceremonial role, on Wednesday May 31.
The 49-year-old, who came out as gay in 2014 on Twitter, will also make history as the first openly gay head of state in Europe.
He has fought for LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage in Latvia, which is still not allowed in the country.
His appointment is seen as a win Latvia, which is one of the worst countries in Europe for LGBTQ people.
Latvia rated 47th out of 49 European Union countries in the annual ranking by the LGBTQ rights organization ILGA, which rates countries “based on how the laws and policies of each country impact on the lives of LGBTI people”.
After being elected, Rinkēvičs said he will continue to work for the people of Latvia.
“I am honoured and humbled to be elected as President of the Republic of Latvia, I will do my best to serve the people of Latvia well. I thank Members of Parliament for their trust,” he wrote on Twitter.
Rinkēvičs won support for his firm opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has promised to continue supporting Ukraine.
