Why this photo of Canada’s new prime minister is going totally viral

Justin Trudeau has been Prime Minister of Canada for less than a week and already has given not only Canadians, but the rest of the world a lot of hope. First, there was his perfect response after a reporter asked him why half the people in his cabinet were women. Trudeau: Because it’s 2015.

And now a photo has surfaced of the Prime Minister posing with one of Canada’s few openly gay Members of Parliament, sending a message that the newly-minted world leader may be ushering in an era of acceptance and progress in Canadian politics.

The photo, now shared more than 3200 times, features Trudeau posing with MP Scott Brison, his husband Maxime St-Pierre, and their twin daughters, Claire and Rose. Brison, a representative from Nova Scotia, has the distinction of being the longest-serving openly gay MP serving in the Canadian Parliament.

“I am even more pleased with this government,” wrote one French-speaking commenter on the photo shared on Facebook. “Bravo Mr. Trudeau and thanks especially for giving us hope in politics again—that things can change, but for the better.”

“I am proud to be a Canadian,” added another commenter.

It’s certainly a step in the right direction—and one that will hopefully send a message of acceptance to other major world leaders.

(Image via Facebook)