Having got fed up with a having their country run by a bunch of apparently arrogant and stupid men, Iceland is now to get a lesbian Prime Minister. This isn’t the result of an actual election, but rather of political wheeling and dealing in the aftermath of the collapse of the previous government. (The sort of thing that hyperactive Canadians call a “coup”.) However, congratulations are most definitely due to Johanna Sigurdardottir, who will doubtless strike terror into the hearts of religious fundamentalist leaders the world over for a few years.
Hat tip to Bob Hole who also pointed out that The Independent‘s headline was an absurd exaggeration.
The other thing I found oddly hilarious was that she’s a former air hostess. That’s not usually thought of as being on the career path toward Prime Minister.
I think air hostesses should be even more proud. It may REALLY be a first for them.
I suspect that having to deal with a plane load of awkward passengers is very good training in diplomacy.
Also homosexuals have been around a lot longer than air hostesses, so they’ve had more time to make it to the top.
Hi, Cheryl…it hasn’t been hyperactive Canadians calling this kind of thing a coup, but some hyper Americans who think our politics are crazy. This kind of thing happens in parliamentary democracies with three or more parties, and it almost happened here. Some might panic over this, but I won’t.
The Icelandic PS’s orientation should not be reported on in articles. It’s not germane to the reportage.
Lloyd
Lloyd:
Most Americans barely know where Canada is, let alone know that it had a little political crisis last year. Heck, I wouldn’t have known myself if Kevin hadn’t been following Canadian news and blogs.
And I’m afraid I must disagree with you regarding the news coverage from Iceland. Straight politicians parade their sexuality every time that they are photographed with their families. Obama does it, Gordon Brown and David Cameron do it. The fact that Ms. Sigurdardottir is able to be open about her lesbianism, and have it written about in newspapers, without fear of losing her position or being at risk from violence, should be a cause for celebration. The only people who would want it kept quiet are those who still think that being a lesbian is something shameful that one ought to keep quiet about.