MIDTOWN — Mayor Michael Bloomberg will celebrate the first day of gay marriage in New York by presiding over the wedding of two of his closest aides.
John Feinblatt, the mayor's chief advisor for policy and strategic planning, and Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz, will be married by the mayor at Gracie Mansion on Sunday, July 24, a month after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the historic legislation.
While the mayor rarely performs wedding ceremonies, in this case he volunteered.
"John and Jonathan have each done so much to make the city a better place, and together, they helped me see the issue of marriage equality in very clear terms," Bloomberg said in a statement. "This will be one of the biggest days of their lives, a day they've waited a long time to see, and I'm just honored to be a part of it."
The long-time couple, who have two young daughters, including 8-year-old, Maeve, said back in May that the best part of being allowed to marry would be getting to see their daughters as flower girls at their wedding.
"It makes me feel very proud," said Mintz of the mayor's support, following a speech he made urging senate Republicans to vote for the measure before it was passed.
The mayor has married just two other couples since taking office — his eldest daughter, Emma, and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani — according to the New York Times, which first broke news of the plans.
The city has seen marriage applications soar since same-sex couples began being allowed to file online Tuesday.
