Iceland's Gay Prime Minister Steps Down

The world's first openly gay prime minister has stepped down on schedule.

Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir retired from politics yesterday ahead of general elections today. Sigurdardottir became the world’s first openly gay or lesbian head of state in February of 2009 when she was appointed Prime Minister of Iceland after Independence Party leader Geir Haarde resigned over his handling of the country’s then financial crisis. Iceland’s voters gave her appointment the seal of approval two month later, giving her the task of fixing the country’s financial crisis.