As the first openly gay head of government, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel made history on Tuesday 24 September when speaking about LGBTI-specific issues at a United Nations General Assembly.

This is not the first time Bettel has spoken out about LGBT issues, who earlier this year challenged Arab leaders on the legal issues faced by LGBT individuals in some of their countries at an EU-Arab League summit.

“Being gay is not a choice, but not accepting it is a choice,” Luxembourg's PM declared at an LGBTI Core Group event.

“Homophobia is a choice and we have to fight against it!” Bettel continued as he focused on efforts to end anti-LGBTI hate speech in social and traditional media.

“We are all part of it (the changes to acceptance) and we all have a responsibility,” Bettel said, poiting to atitudes needing to change at home as well as in wider society.

'Respect' for Luxembourg PM after he challenges Arab leaders on gay rights

“This starts from ... your politicians but it goes also to a family evening, to dinner with friends, with family. If they have hate speech you can never accept it.”

(original source: WashingtonBlade)