GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER MARRIES PARTNER

Germany’s openly gay Foreign Minister and Deputy Chancellor Guido Westerwelle has married his long time partner, Michael Mronz, in Bonn.

The two entered into a civil partnership on Friday at registry office ceremony attended by close friends and family, reported Germany’s Bild newspaper.

The ceremony was presided over by Bonn’s Mayor Juergen Nymptsch.

Same-sex marriage is not legal in Germany, but lesbian and gay couples are afforded many of the rights associated with marriage under the Life Partnership Act of 2001.

Westerwelle (48) and Mronz (43) have been together since 2003.