Edgars Rinkevic becomes the first openly gay head of state of the European Union

Category : International Published on: July 13 2023

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Latvia's former foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics achieved a historic feat as the first openly gay head of state in the European Union.
Latvia’s long-serving foreign minister, known for his tough line on neighbouring Russia and strong support for Ukraine, was sworn in as the Baltic nation’s president for a four-year term.
Edgars Rinkevics, who had served as Latvia’s top diplomat since 2011, took the oath of office in ceremonies at an extraordinary session of the Parliament, or Saeima, in the capital, Riga.
He succeeds Egils Levits, who didn’t seek reelection.
He is the seventh president of Latvia, a nation of 1.8 million that is a member of the European Union and NATO since it regained its independence in 1991.
Rinkevics, who announced “proudly” in 2014 on Twitter that he is gay, is one of Europe’s few LGBTQ+ heads of state.
Latvia currently bans same-sex marriage, making it illegal within the country.
Latvia's constitutional court recognized same-sex unions last year, indicating progress toward legal recognition.