Our country's first legally married gay Mayor

Hartford, Connecticut Mayor Pedro Segarra has become the nation's first legally married gay Mayor. Segarra is married to his partner of fourteen years, Charlie Ortiz. His Inaugural Ball was this past Saturday night, January 21, 2012.

 
Photo Credit: Andrea Wise, special to The Hartford Courant

Segarra had previously been the president of Hartford's City Council and finished the term of Mayor Eddie Perez who was convicted of bribery and extortion. Segarra was sworn in as Mayor in June 2010. This past November, 2011, Segarra won his first election as Mayor having been endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans. His Mayoral Ball was held this past Saturday night to a sold-out crowd of over 900 which included Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and most of the major state politicians, media, arts and business communities.

Below Mayor Segarra and his husband, Charlie Ortiz, walk down the red carpet at his Mayoral Ball.

Photo Credit: Andrea Wise, special to The Hartford Courant

Segarra is the second openly gay mayor of an American state capital city and Hartford's second mayor of Puerto Rican ancestry.

Below is Segarra and Ortiz during the playing of the National Anthem.

Photo Credit: Andrea Wise, special to The Hartford Courant

Segarra is a well-liked approachable Mayor that is out and about frequently in downtown Hartford. I've personally seen him several times at restaurants and the theatre. I wish he and his husband the best.