5 most influential politicians in the world who have openly declared their sexual orientation

Unfortunately, false prejudice against homosexuals and other sexual orientations is still prevalent in conservative and religious nations around the world. Yet there are changes in the current political landscape. LGBTQ (AI+) politicians are using their publicity to fight for the rights of sexual and gender minorities. For example, they emphasize that being gay or lesbian is natural: it should not be an obstacle to marriage, child adoption, or employment.

So, which presidents and politicians have come out and then confidently defended equal rights for all? Find out in the OBOZ.UA article.

1. Edgars Rinkēvičs

In July 2023, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs became the president of Latvia. This is a historic event! After all, he is the first openly gay man to be elected head of state of the European Union. Edgars came out as a gay man in 2014 and wrote about his homosexuality on the social network X (formerly Twitter): "Our country should create a legal framework for all types of domestic partnerships. I will fight for this. I know that mega-hysteria will start now, but #Proudtobegay."

In addition, in May 2021, Rinkēvičs posted another tweet in support of LGBTQ (IA+) people: "Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. We (Latvia - Ed.) also still have a lot to do to build a country and society free of intolerance and with a proper legal framework."

2. Gabriel Attal

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed 34-year-old Gabriel Attal, who previously served as Minister of Education, as Prime Minister. According to Bloomberg, Attal became the youngest prime minister in French history and the first head of government to come out as homosexual (he came out shortly after being appointed to the government). Currently, the man is in a civil marriage with the head of the presidential Renaissance party, Stephane Séjourne.

3. Leo Varadkar

On January 18, 2015 (his birthday), Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar publicly announced that he is gay. In an interview with The Irish Times, the man emphasized his values: "There is a referendum on marriage equality coming up and I just want to be honest with people... I would like to be an equal citizen in my country. I want people to know that whatever decisions are made on any issue, I will make them in accordance with what I believe is in the public interest and my own conscience."

Varadkar became the first openly gay member of the Irish cabinet. And it was he who actively advocated for the 34th Amendment to the Constitution (after which same-sex partnerships were legalized). It should be added that this politician defended the rights of LGBTQ (IA+) people to surrogacy and donation.

4. Jared Polis

The governor of the US state of Colorado, Jared Polis, is an openly gay man. He is one of the most active defenders of civil rights in the United States. For example, in May 2012, Polis initiated an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity: "All victims of domestic violence need our care, support, and understanding... On a bipartisan basis, we must include these basic protections for LGBTQ (IA+) Americans, and ensure that the critical services VAWA supports are available to all. No one should be denied any services based on their sexual orientation or gender identity."

5. Xavier Bettel

In 2009, the Luxembourg parliament passed a law authorizing same-sex marriage. A year later, Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg (since November 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs), and his chosen one, Belgian architect Gautier Destenet, got married. It was the first gay marriage of a sitting prime minister in the EU. "I don't understand politicians who hide it (sexual orientation - Ed.)... If you are not ready to take responsibility, then this is a problem of trust! I couldn't lead a double life, that is, play to the public and raise children while at the same time defending honesty in my political career," Bettel said in an interview with Têtu.

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