Lesbian Prime Minister

In 2008, Iceland was a principal victim of the international economic meltdown. With the collapse of banks and a steep rise in unemployment and inflation, the once-prosperous country settled into its biggest slump since independence.

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In the wake of the economic collape, the governing Independence Party lost the confidence of parliament. After the fall of the government in February 2009, a former flight attendant who has served in parliament since 1978, Johanna Sigurdardottir, was selected to serve as Interim Prime Minister, becoming her country's first female Prime Minister and perhaps the first open lesbian to lead a modern nation.

In May 2009, Sigurdardottir led her center-left coalition to a sweeping victory, winning 35 of the 63 seats in parliament. Her victory was seen as a rebuke of the pro-business Independence Party, which many blame for the economic catastrophe of 2008.

Sigurdardottir, who entered into a civil partnership with her longtime companion Jonina Leosdottir in 2002, is known as a champion of social causes and is widely respected as a tough but principled politician. Under her leadership, Iceland is likely to seek membership in the European Union.

Denmark has a reputation for sexual liberation, tolerance, and progressive social policy in regards to glbtq issues.

Like other Nordic countries, Finland is liberal in regards to gay rights, though it has been slower than its neighbors to assure glbtq equality.

Those countries that allow the immigration of glbtq persons based on persecution in their home countries often raise difficulties or apply the existing laws inequitably, especially in the case of glbtq couples who apply for entry as domestic partners.

Like most Scandinavian countries, Norway respects glbtq rights, and Norwegians are broadly tolerant of homosexuals.

Lesbian and gay couples have been fighting for the freedom to marry since the dawn of the modern glbtq struggle for equality; despite some success abroad, progress toward same-sex marriage in the United States has been slow.

Switzerland is a very cosmopolitan nation with a vibrant glbtq community, but it has lagged behind much of Europe, particularly the Nordic countries, when it comes to assuring equal rights.

Celebrating an ideal of manly love in both its spiritual and physical aspects, Walt Whitman has exerted a profound and enduring influence on gay literature.