Petra de Sutter achieves yet another accomplishment by becoming the first transgender woman to become Deputy Prime Minister in Belgium. Back on his committed and inspiring journey.
On Thursday, Petra de Sutter was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister of the new Belgian government, and she will also be in charge of administration and public enterprises. The former MEP thus becomes the first transgender woman to become a minister in Europe. This dedication is due to her incredibly inspiring career, an internationally recognized career as a gynecologist and a strong political commitment.
Petra de Sutter, professor of gynecology, politician and transgender
Petra de Sutter, 57, is a gynecologist by profession. This professor is recognized internationally for her expertise on the subject of fertility. She got involved in politics to first become a city councilor, then a senator in 2014. That same year, she came out publicly after her election and was the first transgender woman to be elected to the Senate. She was elected MEP in 2019, becoming the first environmentalist to head the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. As a senator and MEP, she continued to practice her profession as a professor of medicine while heading the department of reproductive medicine at the University Hospital of Ghent.
"I am incredibly grateful for the confidence I have received from my party. Last night I was given the green light to participate in a new government. Now I will do all I can to revive our country and work for a new future for all Belgians with this government ", tweeted Petra de Sutter on Thursday, after taking the oath before King Philippe of Belgium. This Sunday, she expressed her pride in becoming the first transgender minister in Europe. "I am proud that in Belgium and most of the European Union your gender identity does not define you as a person and is a non-problem. I hope that my commitment as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister will be able to trigger a debate in countries where this is not yet the case ", she said.
Belgium, an example to follow for the inclusion of LGBTQI + in politics
If Petra de Sutter is the first transgender woman to enter the Belgian government, she is not the first member of the LBGTQI + community to join it. Already in 2011, Belgium was a role model by electing Elio di Rupo as Prime Minister. The politician then became the first openly homosexual head of government within the European Union, proof that this state is one step ahead of many other nations. It should also be noted that this neighboring country of France respects strict parity between women and men within the government. An example to follow, when we know that, at home, it was not until May 2020 for a transgender woman, Marie Cau, to be elected as mayor for the first time.
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