Thomas MacMillan Photo
New York’s possible next mayor slipped into New Haven Thursday to marry a city native of the opposite sex — in order to make a point about same-sex marriage.
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer exchanged vows with Elyse Buxbaum in a quiet, five-minute semi-private ceremony on the second-floor landing of City Hall at 4 p.m. New Haven Mayor John DeStefano officiated. The couple’s parents attended the ceremony.
The bride wore a silver and white sleeveless dress. The groom wore a tie to match.
Stringer, 50, is widely mentioned as a candidate for mayor in the 2013 Big Apple elections. Buxbaum, 38, is director of sponsorships and grants for New York’s Jewish Museum. They met on business shortly after he took office as borough president in 2006. A friendship began; it flourished into a romance.
They said they chose New Haven as the site for the civil ceremony for two reasons: She was born here (she grew up on Vista Terrace), and same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut. Same-sex couples can’t legally marry in New York State.
“Elyse and I wanted to make a statement,” Stringer said as the ceremony wrapped up.
“We want New York State, like Connecticut, to legalize same-sex marriage. A lot of our friends cannot experience the amazing joy and excitement we feel right now.”
The couple drove up from New York an hour before the ceremony. Beforehand Buxbaum received “something old” — a cream-colored handkerchief with the letter “E” embroidered on it. It belonged to her late grandmother Esther, after whom she was named.
The entourage gathered shortly before 4 p.m. in the mayor’s conference room. A negotiation ensued about where the ceremony would take place. The plan was to hold it in the atrium on the second-floor landing, a public space where City Hall weddings normally occur. But the couple had succeeded in convincing New York reporters and photographers to stay away and keep the affair private. The possible future mayor was worried about breaking his word if a local photographer were present. (The couple hired photographer Joseph Gerhard, a Buxbaum family friend from the East Rock neighborhood, to shoot the occasion.) A compromise was struck: No local press photos during the ceremony.
Then they emerged: Mayor DeStefano escorted the groom …
… and papa Barry Buxbaum escorted the bride.
DeStefano then read the traditional vows, Stringer and Buxbaum recited, “I do,” and it was over. DeStefano returned right to his office; the couple lingered for five minutes. They planned a dinner in town before returning home.
Stringer was asked a non-marriage question: whether he officially plans to run for mayor of New York.
“I’m not going to answer in the state of Connecticut,” he responded. “I’ll get married in the state of Connecticut. That’s as far as I’ll go today.”
The real wedding party, including a religious ceremony, is scheduled for Sunday at 632 Hudson in New York City’s West Village. Rabbi Robert Levine of Congregation Rodeph Sholom will officiate.
“You’re not invited,” Stringer quipped.
This was not the first marriage ceremony held at City Hall in part to promote legalized same-sex marriage. On Nov. 12, 2008, the day the Connecticut law went into effect, Peg Oliveira and Jen Vickery exchanged rings and vows in an emotional ceremony. Watch and read about it here.
"The real wedding party, including a religious ceremony, is scheduled for Sunday at 632 Hudson in New York City's West Village. Rabbi Robert Levine of Congregation Rodeph Sholom will officiate."
huh???
if this couple truly believed what they preach this would be the REAL ceremony - or they'd do it up here in CT!
lame.
p.s. nice pics Paul! i hope they pay you for those...
non-news. Great people are doing great things everyday, let's read about them. This should have received a sidebar, at best!