USA

US Congressman Marries Male Partner

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) gestures while speaking at a news conference in Newton, Massachusetts, November 28, 2011.

U.S. Representative Barney Frank has married his longtime partner, Jim Ready, becoming the first member of Congress to enter into a same-sex marriage.

The governor of the northeastern state of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, married the two in a ceremony late Saturday attended by some 300 guests.

Frank, a Democrat, is retiring after more than three decades in office. He has served in the House since 1981 as an openly-gay politician.

His new 42-year-old spouse is 30 years younger than Frank. Ready owns a small handyman business.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.