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Paolo Rondelli, the first openly gay head of state
Paolo Rondelli is the first openly gay head of state in the world, and since 2022, he has co-led one of the smallest traditionally Catholic countries in the world, the Republic of San Marino, located in northeastern Italy.
Paolo Rondelli’s background and education
According to Wikipedia, Paolo Rondelli is an important political, diplomatic, and cultural figure in the Republic of San Marino. Born on June 17, 1963, in San Marino, he first studied chemical engineering at the University of Bologna, where he graduated in 1990 with a thesis on the risks related to the transport of toxic substances, before pursuing studies in environmental sciences and journalism.
Early career and international engagement
He began his career as an engineer specialized in environmental protection and sustainable development in Italy, then joined the public administration of San Marino in the 1990s, holding various technical and coordination roles in departments related to the environment, territory, and public services. In the 2000s, he became active on the international stage, notably as a member of San Marino’s delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, participating in several election observation missions and working on issues of democracy and sustainable development.
Ambassador and political leader
From 2007, Paolo Rondelli served as San Marino’s ambassador to the United States, presenting his credentials to President George W. Bush, and later was ambassador and permanent representative to UNESCO until 2019. In December 2019, he was elected to the Grand and General Council, San Marino’s parliament, for the Civic Movement R.E.T.E., and chaired the Foreign Affairs Commission, while participating in international parliamentary delegations.
A historic moment for San Marino and the LGBT+ community
A historic moment in his career occurred in April 2022, when he was elected Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino for a six-month term, serving until October 2022 alongside Oscar Mina. In this role of head of state—a traditional rotating position in the world’s oldest republic—he became the first openly LGBT+ head of state in modern history.
Cultural and educational commitment
Beyond his political and diplomatic work, Rondelli has also contributed to the cultural and educational fields, notably as director general of the Cultural Institutes of San Marino and as an academic and author, contributing to historical research and the promotion of the republic’s heritage.
LGBT+ visibility and personal life
Paolo Rondelli lives his personal life as a gay man openly and actively, though he does not discuss it in an intimate or private manner as celebrities might. What is known comes mainly from his public interventions and his political action for inclusion, which provide insight into how he lives and expresses his sexual orientation in the public sphere.
He publicly identified as gay long before being elected head of state, making him an important figure for LGBT+ visibility in San Marino and beyond. He himself wrote on social media that he was “probably the first head of state belonging to the LGBT community” when elected in 2022.
In various public events and interviews, he emphasized the importance of living life “in the sunlight” and working to transform a traditionally conservative society into a more inclusive one. He explained that although San Marino had a recent history of discriminatory laws—the decriminalization of homosexuality only occurring in 2004—he never hid his identity and committed himself to activism to advance civil rights for LGBT+ people.
At LGBT+ rights events, he encourages young people especially to seek support and help, whether through associations or other individuals, if they face difficulties with their families or relationships.
Private life and marital status
According to publicly available information, there is no confirmed record that he has a spouse or an official partner mentioned in biographical or media sources. Available profiles, including his encyclopedic entry, list no information on a marriage, partner, or public couple life.
The Republic of San Marino, an ancient state
The Republic of San Marino is one of the oldest sovereign states in the world, claiming a foundation dating back to the year 301. Enclosed within northeastern Italy, between Emilia-Romagna and the Marche regions, it covers an area of about 61 km² and has a population of just over 30,000 inhabitants. Despite its small size, San Marino has a strong political identity, based on an uninterrupted republican tradition for more than seventeen centuries. Its institutional system relies on a parliament, the Grand and General Council, and two heads of state elected every six months, the Captains Regent, a unique model worldwide.
Economy and society
San Marino’s economy is diversified, relying on services, tourism, finance, craftsmanship, and light industry. The country attracts several million visitors each year, drawn by its historic center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its medieval fortresses, and its mountainous landscape dominated by Mount Titano. Traditionally Catholic, San Marino’s society has undergone rapid evolution in recent decades, especially concerning civil rights and individual freedoms.
LGBT+ resources in San Marino
In San Marino, specifically local LGBT+ resources remain limited due to the country’s small size, but there is at least one organized association serving as a reference point for the community and people seeking support.
Associazione 121 San Marino is the best-known association dedicated to the defense of rights and the inclusion of the LGBT+ community in the republic. It organizes events, social and cultural activities, promotes equal rights, awareness, and the well-being of LGBT+ people, and works to create a safer and more welcoming environment.
The association takes its name from Law No. 121 of 2004, which marked a major step in the decriminalization of homosexuality and recognition of homosexual relationships in San Marino, and it is also engaged in education, training, and anti-discrimination projects.
Outside San Marino, nearby Italian organizations, such as Arcigay in the neighboring Emilia-Romagna region, also offer support, legal information, social activities, and networks accessible to LGBT+ people of the republic, given the geographical proximity.
Finally, although San Marino does not have an official local Pride march, many LGBT+ people attend events organized in neighboring Italian areas, notably in Rimini.
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