Out MP Justine Greening replaces Nicky Morgan as education secretary
Ms Greening becomes the first out LGBT minister to occupy the role.
Justine Greening has been announced as the new Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, becoming the first openly LGBT minister to take the post.
She is also the first female cabinet minister to be in a same-sex relationship.
Ms Greening replaces Nicky Morgan, who was sacked from the post during new Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle.
The former Secretary of State for International Development recently spoke out about her sexuality.
The 47-year-old MP for Putney made the announcement on the day of Pride in London, tweeting: “Today’s a good day to say I’m in a happy same sex relationship, I campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you’re better off out!”
Labour’s Chris Smith was the first openly gay cabinet minister back in 1997, but Ms Greening – who voted in favour of same sex marriage – is the first out woman serve in the cabinet.
In an interview with the Evening Standard, Ms Greening revealed that she has been in a relationship with partner Tess for “several” years but had not chosen to make it public until now.
Their relationship had even been kept from her friends, family and political colleagues, until Ms Greening – a keen supporter of compulsory sex education in schools – chose to open up.
Ms Greening said she had not been “super-analytical” about her sexuality, but added: “I hadn’t been particularly open with it but I’d never had a problem with it, actually. And I thought it was time to be clear-cut.
Asked whether it was difficult to come out within the Conservative Party, she said: “There may have been a time when it was an issue but that’s passed.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Morgan shared her disappointment at losing her role.
“Disappointed not to be continuing as Education Secretary & Min for Women & Equalities – two wonderful roles it’s been a privilege to hold,” she wrote on Twitter.
