Torben Lund (born 6 November 1950 in Vejle) is a Danish politician, who served in the Folketing from 1981 to 1998[1] and in the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004.[2] He was associated with the Danish Social Democrats in Denmark, and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.
Torben Lund | |
---|---|
Member of the Folketing | |
In office 1981–1998 | |
Member of the European Parliament for Denmark | |
In office 1999–2004 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 6 November 1950 Vejle, Denmark | (age 74)
Spouse | Claus Lautrup |
While sitting in the Folketing, he was one of the sponsors of the 1989 legislation that first legalized registered partnership for same-sex couples.[3] He served as Health Minister in the Poul Nyrup Rasmussen I Cabinet from 1993 to 1994.[1]
He came out as gay in 1998, becoming Denmark's first openly gay member of the Folketing. In 1999, he married his partner Claus Lautrup.[4]
After his retirement from politics, he joined the Danish television network Dk4.[5] He remained active in the Social Democrats, but left the party in 2009 due to disagreements with the leadership of Helle Thorning-Schmidt.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Torben Lund har forladt Socialdemokratiet". dr.dk, August 22, 2009.
- ^ "Social Democrat MEP criticizes European Parliament". EU Observer, September 13, 2002.
- ^ Jan Lofstrom, Scandinavian Homosexualities: Essays on Gay and Lesbian Studies. Routledge, 1998. ISBN 9781317957577. p. 240.
- ^ "Danish politician marries gay lover". Bay Windows, March 24, 1999.
- ^ "Torben Lund bliver tv-redaktør". Politiken, January 21, 2004.