New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn married her longtime partner, lawyer Kim Catullo, on Saturday. The 300-person guest list read like a Who’s Who of New York politics, with the likes of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and New York’s two senators, Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer, in attendance.
Ms. Quinn and Ms. Catullo, who were both extremely active in the state’s marriage equality legislation a year ago, wed at the Highline Stages, an event space in the Meatpacking District. Both brides walked down the aisle on the arms of their fathers, Ms. Quinn in a stunning sleeveless gown featuring a beaded waistband by Carolina Herrera while Ms. Catullo donned a custom cream-colored suit by Ralph Lauren.
New York’s former chief judge, Judith S. Kaye, who in 2006 wrote an impassioned dissent to a court ruling rejecting the right of same-sex couples to marry, officiated. When she pronounced, “In accordance with the laws of the State of New York, and the authority that has been vested in me by the people of the State of New York, I pronounce you completely, absolutely and permanently married,” the crowd stood up and burst into applause.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a buffet dinner of spring pea risotto, roast chicken and grilled swordfish. The decadent cake was five tiers layered in chocolate chip and chocolate custard, cover with white chocolate butter cream icing. At the end of the night, the infamous Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, which offers whimsical flavorings such as Mexican Affo’gay’to and Bea Arthur, pulled up to offer guests their delicious confections.
The high-profile political wedding was one of the most prominent same-sex marriages to date, and comes just shy of a year before the mayoral election, of which it’s being whispered that Ms. Quinn will likely win, making her both the first female and the first openly gay New York City mayor.
Mr. Schumer, speaking to reporters, who were penned behind a police barricade, said that the country was “moving fast” on the issue of same-sex marriage, adding, “It’s not a question of if but when—everywhere.”
Photo: William Alatriste
