PEI LIBERAL LEADER FIRST OPENLY GAY PERSON ELECTED PREMIER IN ATLANTIC CANADA
(Photo: CTV News)
Wade MacLauchlan, sworn in on February 23, has made history as Prince Edward Island’s first openly gay premier. He is Canada’s second openly gay premier after Kathleen Wynne.
MacLauchlan, 60, is a former president of the University of PEI and his partner, Duncan McIntosh is a founder of the Watermark Theatre.
Born in Stanhope, a rural community, MacLauchlan is open about his sexuality and acknowledged the support of his partner in his acceptance speech.
Prof. Donald Savoie, who has known MacLauchlan for some 20 years, said that he expects MacLauchlan to make an impact among his national peers.
“Let it be a warning to other premiers and the prime minister, this guy is going to be articulate, he’s going to be forceful and brings to the table a work experience and life experience that is rarely seen in politics."
The election of MacLauchlan is a reflection of how much attitudes have changed towards sexual orientation in Canada, specifically PEI, which was one of the last Canadian provinces to legalize same-sex marriage.
