New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
nudged his chief policy adviser, John Feinblatt, to propose marriage
to his partner.
According
to an account in The
New York Times, Bloomberg, who actively lobbied for passage
of a gay marriage law, co-proposed to Feinblatt's partner, Jonathan
Mintz, who accepted.
“The mayor and John,” Mintz told
the paper, “popped the question.”
In fact, Bloomberg approached Feinblatt
with the idea, saying he would “really love to” officiate at
their wedding.
The mayor, who rarely performs the duty
of officiant, said he was making an exception for the couple.
“John and Jonathan are two of the
smartest and hardest-working people in our administration,”
Bloomberg said. “This just felt like the best way for me to say
thank you.”
The couple, together 14 years, are
raising two daughters: Maeve, 8, and Georgia, 6.
On the first day the law takes effect,
Sunday, July 24, Bloomberg will declare the men husband and husband
during a ceremony to take place under a tent on the law of Gracie
Mansion.