First openly-gay mayor in Poland elected
ROBERT Biedron has been elected as Poland’s first-ever openly-gay mayor of a city.
It’s not the first time Biedron has achieved a first for Poland, having been the country’s first openly-gay member of the Sejm, Poland’s Parliament.
His election as mayor of Slupsk, a city near the Baltic Sea in the north of the country, has been hailed as a win for gay rights because of Poland’s conservative culture and influential Catholic church.
In addition, until 2004 LGBTI pride marches were banned throughout the country.
“I see how fast the Polish society has learned its lesson of tolerance,” Biedron told Associated Press (AP).
“So I am optimistic and happy with the Polish society – and proud.”
Many of the voters in this city were reportedly “surprised” when Biedron walked on the streets to talk to them, political candidates were usually only seen via media platforms in Poland.
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At a local government level Ralph McLean was ‘openly gay’ when he was elected Mayor of Fitzroy in 1984, having been elected to council in 1984.
In 1972 David Widdup campaigned for the seat of Lowe against incumbent Prime Minister Bille McMahon with slogans such as ‘I’ve got my eye on Billie’s seat’ and ‘The openly homosexual candidate for Lowe’.
Well done!
When will we here in Australia, get a first gay prime minister?!