The Shot: Johanna Sigurdardottir

Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Ingolfur Juliusson (ICELAND)

Freshly appointed Iceland Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir announces a new centre-left coalition government in Reykjavik on February 1, 2009. She is the world’s first openly lesbian head of state.

Nicknamed “Saint Johanna” for her work with the elderly, handicapped and disadvantaged, Sigurdardottir is a former flight attendant and union organizer. As her country’s Social Affairs Minister, she enjoyed a 73% approval rating.

Her plans include overhauling her country’s central bank and possible membership in the European Union to ease Iceland’s financial crisis.

Take heart: in a troubling year for LGBT rights, a lesbian has become one of the world’s highest ranking officials.


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