Latvia FM comes out as gay on social media

Latvia's Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics has announced he is gay on social media. 

Posting on Twitter on Thursday evening, Rinkevics said:  "I proudly announce I'am gay. Good luck all of you:

Rinkevics also said Latvia should create a legal status for all kinds of partner relationships, and that he would fight for this. Latvia bans same sex marriages and partnerships after Justice Minister Gaidis Berzins said it goes against Latvian 'customs.'

"I know that there will quickly be mega-hysteria, but #proudtobegay”.Rinkevics tweeted.

The posting led to an outpouring of support on social media with some saying it was a huge leap for the minister to make.

High profile figures have also congratulated the minister including Estonia's President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

"A very brave man and a very good foreign minister" tweeted the President.

Rinkevics is the first politician in the history of Latvia to publicly announce being gay, LETA reports