Barney Frank and Jim Ready pose after their marriage on Saturday, July 7, 2012 in Newton, Mass.
Openly gay Rep. Frank, 72, and his partner of seven years, Jim Ready, 42, a welder and good amateur photographer, were married in Newton, Massachusetts on Saturday, July 7 with Gov. Deval Patrick officiating. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, Reps. Steny Hoyer and Dennis Kucinich, and Sen. John Kerry, among others, watched the short contribution to history as Frank is the first openly gay person to be legally married to someone of the same sex while in office. In addition to providing a role model for young LGBT people who have been told marriage is only for heterosexuals, the Frank-Ready wedding also reminds older folks of all orientations that love and happiness are possible at any age.
From the Style section of the New York Times:
They had long discussions about marriage; Mr. Frank wanted to be married while still serving in Washington. Mr. Ready was worried about the public scrutiny. But he remembered how he felt in high school in Tewksbury, Mass., when Mr. Frank came out publicly.
“The kids that are going to see us, and feel strong enough to be able to come out and be who they are. That gives me more encouragement that I’m doing the right thing,” he said.
Their wedding bands were made of black diamonds set in tungsten, a metal used in welding. Mr. Ready picked the material. “It helps keep me grounded, after going to lunch with the president,” he said.
The wedding took place at a no-frills Marriott hotel in Newton. (Mr. Frank said he chose the location for ease of access.) The bridegrooms planned to wear tuxedos by Joseph Abboud, which Mr. Frank noted is a union shop.
Ms. Pelosi said at the reception on Saturday that it was appropriate that a landmark same-sex wedding take place around the Fourth of July. “It’s about expanding freedom,” she said. “This opportunity was a long time coming.”
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