Broken Vows: Giuliani May Break Promise to Preside Over Gay Friend's Wedding
The former mayor may go back on word to marry Howard Koeppel and Mark Hsiao.
June 29, 2011— -- Talk about broken vows.
Former New York City Mayor – and potential 2012 presidential candidate -- Rudy Giuliani allegedly is backing off a promise to preside over a gay friend's wedding, now that New York State has legalized same-sex marriage.
The friend, New York car dealer Howard Koeppel, made headlines in 2001 when he and his partner opened their home to Giuliani for six months while the mayor was going through a bitter divorce.
During the time Giuliani was a house guest, Koeppel says he made a request. "I asked if he would marry us," the New York Post quotes Koeppel as saying.
"He said, 'Howard, I don't do anything that's not legal. If it becomes legal in New York, you'll be one of the first ones I would marry,'" Koeppel recalled.
Last week, New York became the sixth – and by far the largest – state to legalize same-sex marriage, but Koeppel says Giuliani hasn't been returning the many calls he began making as state lawmakers began considering the measure, according to The Post.
"It seems like a lot of people he was close to became persona non grata," Koeppel was quoted as saying.
Koeppel and his partner of nearly 20 years, Mark Hsiao, were married by a justice of the peace in Connecticut in May 2009 after same-sex marriage became legal in that state. This year, the couple became the parents of twin daughters with the help of a surrogate mom.
Giuliani reportedly skipped the 2009 service, after sending in an RSVP that he would attend. Koeppel says he now wants to repeat his vows in New York -- with Giuliani officiating. As a former mayor, Giuliani has the right to officiate at weddings.
A spokeswoman for Giuliani did not respond to a request for comment.
Giuliani, a Republican, was considered a fiscal conservative but moderate-to-liberal on social issues during his eight years as mayor. He has consistently opposed gay marriage but has supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.
Giuliani is leaving the door open to running for president again in 2012 – he's scheduled to visit New Hampshire July 14-15.
Giuliani's officiating at a same-sex marriage would likely hurt him with conservative voters, potentially ruining whatever chance he might have of winning the Republican nomination.