These are the openly gay and lesbian leaders of today and the pioneers who preceded them

Rob Jetten may soon become the first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands, but within Europe, other gay and lesbian leaders preceded him. Who are they?

Currently, there are only two sitting world leaders who belong to the rainbow community, but their impact is significant. In this overview, you will also find the gay and lesbian prime ministers, presidents, and heads of state who were previously in power. Worldwide, we are still waiting for the first openly bisexual, asexual, intersex, and/or trans or non-binary leader.

the current pink leaders

Xavier Espot Zamora (Andorra)

Since 2019, Xavier Espot Zamora has been the prime minister of Andorra. In 2023, he publicly came out as gay, making him the first openly gay leader in the country's history. In Andorra, civil marriage was only opened to same-sex couples in 2022. The fact that the prime minister then came out was seen worldwide as a powerful signal.

Edgars Rinkēvičs (Latvia)

In July 2023, Edgars Rinkēvičs was inaugurated as president of Latvia. Rinkēvičs came out as gay via Twitter in 2014. A revolutionary act in the Baltic region. As a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, he is known as an outspoken defender of democracy, press freedom, and LGBTQIA+ rights. His presidency is internationally seen as a turning point for LGBTQIA+ visibility in Eastern Europe.

pink leaders who made history

Gabriel Attal (France)

In January 2024, Gabriel Attal made history: at the age of 34, he became the youngest prime minister ever of France and the country's first openly gay leader. Attal was previously Minister of Education. He is known for his modern style, strategic insight, and media-savvy approach. He was not in power for long: in July, he was succeeded by another prime minister. 

Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (Iceland)

The first openly lesbian head of government in the world (2009-2013) was Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir. With her inauguration, she also became the first female prime minister of Iceland. During her premiership, Iceland legalised marriage for everyone. She married her wife on the day the law came into effect.

Elio Di Rupo (Belgium)

Elio Di Rupo was the prime minister of Belgium from 2011 to 2014. You might recognise him from the cheerful bow tie he almost always wore at formal occasions. As a result, the state reforms of 2011 were even named 'the butterfly agreement'. Nowadays, he is in the European Parliament. 

Leo Varadkar (Ireland)

Leo Varadkar served two terms as prime minister of Ireland. From 2017 to 2020 and from 2022 to 2024. He came out in 2015, at the time of the Irish referendum on opening marriage to same-sex couples. This made him the first openly gay Irish minister - and later head of government.

Paolo Rondelli (San Marino)

In 2022, Paolo Rondelli was elected as capitano reggente, the head of state of San Marino. Although his term (as usual) lasted only six months, his election was a historic moment. Rondelli, described by The Guardian as a dedicated activist, brought lgbtqia+ rights to the highest symbolic political office for the first time.

Xavier Bettel (Luxembourg)

Bettel was prime minister of Luxembourg from 2013 to 2023 and then became minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister. In 2015, when civil marriage was opened to all couples, he was the first to tie the knot with his fiancé. Also fun: he attended the wedding of the 'king' of Luxembourg with his husband, namely the son of the grand duke Guillaume. 

Ana Brnabić (Serbia)

From 2017 to 2024, Serbia had the openly lesbian Ana Brnabić as prime minister. This was remarkable for a country where gay rights have been under pressure for years. When the partner of Ana Brnabić, Milica Durdić, gave birth to a son, the reactions from the rainbow community were not exactly positive. Because what did this prime minister actually do for them?