Rudy Giuliani Officiates First Same-Sex Wedding

“My views have evolved on this issue, like so many other people’s,” said the former NYC mayor and Republican presidential candidate.
From: NewNowNext

 Many politicians have evolved on the subject of marriage equality—even LGBT allies like President Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Some just evolve slower than others: Five years after New York legalized marriage equality, former mayor Rudy Guiliani is officiating his first-same-sex wedding.

Next weekend, Giuliani, 72, will help longtime friend and adviser Scott Segal marry his boyfriend, Travis Hatch, at the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC.

 “My views have evolved on this issue, like so many other people’s,” says Giuliani.

“For a long time, my religious background gave me a resistance to the idea of marriage rights,” says the thrice-married politician. “But as I looked at it, I came to realize that in so many cases the relationships were… stronger and better than heterosexual marriages.”

 The wedding will be a high-class affair—ladies in floor-length gowns and gentleman in tuxedos. “The vows are traditional… nothing too soupy and sappy,” says Segal  (left, with Hatch).

Considering how close Giuliani has been to a number of gay men, it’s surprising it’s taken him this long to solemnize a same-sex union.

Indeed, when then-mayor Giuliani’s marriage to Donna Hanover collapsed in 2001, he sought refuge at the East Side apartment of gay couple Howard Koeppel and Mark Hsiao for six months rather than stay at Gracie Mansion.

 But while Guiliani was happy to march with Koeppel in the gay Pride parade that year, he reneged on his promise to marry him and Hsiao after New York legalized same-sex marriage in 2011.

But maybe that’s because he was weighing another presidential run in 2012. Clearly the tide has changed enough—or perhaps his prospects with the GOP have dimmed enough—that it’s not an issue.

The Washington Post reports Giuliani “jumped at the chance” to help the couple tie the knot.

“Travis really grounds Scott — a good marriage is one where each person gets stronger and better because of their connection to one another, and that is certainly the case,” he says. “I’m glad our society has come to this point.”

Although some of us had to be dragged kicking and screaming.

Giuliani’s name has returned to the headlines lately, as he’s been rumored to be Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Homeland Security.

“He’s my friend and I think, of the candidates, of the choices that I have, he’s the best choice for president,” Giuliani said of Trump shortly before the New York primary.