Gay US Ambassador ties the knot with partner in Denmark
The US ambassador to Denmark has tied the knot with his partner, at the site of the world’s first same-sex unions.
Denmark began to recognise registered partnerships for same-sex couples on October 1 1989 – marking the world’s first legal recognition of gay relationships.
The country, which introduced same-sex marriage in 2012, last year marked a quarter of a century since the first same-sex couples made their way to register at Copenhagen City Hall.
26 years later, the US ambassador to Denmark has become the latest in a long line of couple to take advantage of Denmark’s laws, tying the knot with his fiancé.
Rufus Gifford, who was appointed as the US ambassador by Obama in September 2013, wed his veterinarian partner Stephen DeVincent today at Copenhagen City Hall.
Gifford, a 41-year-old Boston native, wrote on Twitter: “Today: Stephen and I get married @ Copenhagen City Hall – 26 yrs ago the site of 1st legal gay unions in the world. Humbled and emotional.
Posing for a picture with their rings, the pair added: “Married! In the land that created fairy tales, we just started our own… Feeling such happiness and gratitude.”
Democratic President Barack Obama has recently appointed a surprising number of gay ambassadors, to represent the US around the world.
Last year, he nominated Ted Osius – who has a young son with his husband – as ambassador to Vietnam.
Other gay Obama-oppointed ambassadors include John Berry (Australia), Daniel Baer (Austria), James Costos (Spain), , and Wally Brewster (Dominican Republic).
