New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a
Democrat, is engaged to Randy Florke, his partner of 21 years.
According to BuzzFeed, Florke proposed
marriage on Christmas morning.
The couple, who are raising two
daughters – Essie and Daley – and a son, Jesus, had previously
pledged not to marry until the federal government recognized the
marriages of gay and lesbian couples, which it now does.
Maloney said their children had pushed
them to marry.
“In the eyes of young children, it
matters that you're married,” Maloney
told BuzzFeed. “It means something to them, and so we saw that
through their eyes.”
Essie, the youngest daughter, wrote to
Santa asking to marry her two dads.
Florke proposed by giving Maloney a
suitcase for Christmas.
Florke said he told his husband-to-be:
“It's a suitcase, but it comes with a proposal: I want to know if
you will travel with me forever and marry me.”
Former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank
was the first member of Congress to enter a same-sex marriage while
in office. Openly gay Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan is also married.
Maloney and Florke are planning a
summer wedding.