World gets its first gay head of state: Iceland's new Prime Minister is a lesbian

Johanna Sigurdardottir is Iceland's new Prime Minister

The first government collapse of the global economic crisis is about to yield the world's first openly-gay leader.

Great timing. But hey, better now than never!

If the difference between Ireland and Iceland is one letter and six months, can we expect our first gay head of state by the Autumn? Watch out McAleese!

Though she is famous across the island, having been a top politician for years, her lesbian union was no big deal in this calmly progressive nation of only 300,000 people.

Unfortunately, I think we have a lot longer than six months to be the same as Iceland in this respect.

She did stand for the leadership of her party back in 1994 and lost badly, but in her concession speech she predicted "my time will come". And some 15 years later, it truly has.

Our time has come!

Read the full story here and while we're on the topic of pioneering gay politicians, go see the new film starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk titled Milk, which is getting rave reviews.

Also, via The Independent (scroll to bottom of page):

Pink power: Four pioneering gay politicians

Harvey Milk

First gay man elected to US office when he was voted on to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Was assassinated in 1978 and is the subject of a new film.

Bertrand Delanoë

The Mayor of Paris is perhaps one of the most influential gay politicians in the world. He is said to harbour ambitions of running for the French presidency in 2012.

Penny Wong

Holds the crucial Australian cabinet post of Minister for Climate Change and Water. No other openly gay politician in the country has risen so far up the ladder.

Angela Eagle

Britain's first openly lesbian MP has been a Treasury minister since 2007. She followed a trail blazed by former minister Chris Smith, who came out in 1984.