Paolo Rondelli of San Marino becomes world’s first openly gay head of state

by Peter Schulte

San Marino, one of the world’s smallest nations and contained entirely within Italy, has made Paolo Rendelli one of its two Captain Regents. The move makes Rondelli the world’s first-ever openly gay head of state and has been welcomed as a “historic event” not only for San Marino but for the LGBTQ community around the world and all of humanity.

As per Sammarinese tradition, Rondelli will serve a six-month term beginning April 1, 2022. He began working in politics in the 1990s and served as San Marino’s ambassador to the United States for seven years.

Though San Marino has long been considered relatively conservative, Rondelli’s elections demonstrate a growing openness and celebration of progressive reform in the largely Catholic nation. While Rondelli’s nomination is a historic first, it will not be the last.