Nevada state Senator Kelvin Atkinson
proposed marriage to his partner on Tuesday.
Atkinson publicly proposed to his
partner, Sherwood Howard, during a gathering at The Gay and Lesbian
Community Center of Southern Nevada to celebrate a federal appeal
court's ruling striking down Nevada's ban on gay marriage.
(Related: Appeals
court strikes down Nevada, Idaho gay marriage bans.)
Atkinson was encouraged to pop the
question live on television while speaking to the jubilant crowd
about the couple's wedding plans.
Atkinson called Howard his confidant
and best friend before adding, “So I'll say it in front of
everyone: Will you marry me?”
Atkinson, who
came out gay last year, said he and Howard have been dating for
more than six years.
According to local sources, county
clerks are expected to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples
on Wednesday.