- Latvia's parliament elects new president, Edgars Rinkevics, making him the first openly gay head of state in the European Union.
- Rinkevics has been Latvia's top envoy for almost 12 years and has been a consistent advocate for supporting Ukraine and a strident critic of the Kremlin.
- The Baltic region has trailed other parts of Europe in advancing rights for LGBTQ people, with a bill in Latvia's parliament that would approve civil unions stalling.
- Rinkevics encourages Latvia's youth to 'be ready to break the glass ceiling' in pursuing their ambitions.
EU’s First Openly Gay Head of State Elected by Latvian Assembly
Latvia’s parliament elected long-time Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics as the Baltic nation’s new president, making him the European Union’s first openly gay head of state.
Aaron Eglitis
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