Petra De Sutter – a gynaecologist, Green politician, and LGBTQ+ activist – is the first trans woman to be serving as Belgiumās deputy prime minister after being appointed at the beginning of October. Sutter heads the department of reproductive medicine at Ghent University, and the move makes her the most senior trans politician in the world, as well as the most powerful trans leader in history.
Prior to her swearing in ceremony, she said she was āincredibly gratefulā for the confidence received from her party. She continued: āNow I can do whatever it takes to relaunch our country and work on a new future for all Belgians together with that government.ā
Sutter entered politics in 2014, becoming Belgiumās first transgender MP. She said she was āunder attackā as soon as she began her political career but added āI have the skin of an elephant, I am not afraid of attacks. I expect it. The trolls will continue but I will ignore them. Fortunately, they are a minority.ā
She has been praised by fellow politician Terry Reintke who congratulated Sutter āon her fight for LGBTQ+ and womenās rightsā and on her ācalm, yet decisive way to do politics.ā
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