(Photo: Reuters / Jessica Rinaldi)(L-R) New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo march together during the Gay Pride Parade in New York June 26, 2011.
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New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will controversially preside over one of the first gay marriages in New York at Gracie Mansion on Sunday July 24 for the consummation of two top staffers in his administration.
John Feinblatt, Bloomberg’s chief policy advisor and Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz will wed after being together for 14 years and having two young daughters. The wedding nuptials were first reported in the New York Times.
The Mayor has only married two other couples since taking office; his eldest daughter, Emma, and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Bloomberg said Thursday that he's "honored to be part of it."
“This is a historic moment for New York, a moment many couples have waited years and even decades to see – and we are not going to make them wait one day longer than they have to,” said Mayor Bloomberg as reported on NYC.gov.
The Mayor, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and City Clerk Michael McSweeney also announced that New York State judges will volunteer to perform ceremonies and review waiver requests of New York State’s 24-hour marriage waiting period on Sunday, July 24.
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Officials have said they expect a rush of interest in marriages on that Sunday, and New York City clerks' offices are taking the unusual step of opening on a day when government offices normally are closed.
City clerk offices in all five boroughs will also stay open an additional two hours - until 6:30 p.m. - the first week to accommodate the expected crowds. The Manhattan City Clerk’s office is usually open from 8:30a.m to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Meanwhile, as earlier reported by The Christian Post, one New York Town Clerk is refusing to sign gay marriage licenses, saying it directly goes against her faith and beliefs. There have been legal provisions to protect churches and Christian organizations from being forced to act against their faith within their buildings, however, the clerk’s position falls outside that exemption.
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