NYT: Mayor Bloomberg to Endorse Christine Quinn as Successor

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants out lesbian City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to succeed him in office, the NYT reports:

Mr. Bloomberg, an independent, has refrained from specifying an heir publicly, since he seems to prefer to keep Ms. Quinn, a Democrat, and other prospective candidates as compliant as possible in the two years remaining before the next mayoral election.

Jamie McShane, a spokesman for Ms. Quinn, said, “She has never asked for nor has he offered his support.”

A spokesman for Mr. Bloomberg said the same.

Still, the mayor has made it plain in private conversations with other politicians and civic leaders that he prefers the City Council speaker.

Mayor Making It No Secret: He’ll Endorse Quinn in 2013 [nyt]

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Weds Gay Staffers on Live TV: VIDEO

As a cap to yesterday's extraordinary marriage equality festivities in New York State, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg officiated at the wedding of his staffers John Feinblatt and Jonathan Mintz on CNN.

The NYT adds:

The ceremony, in front of the steps of Gracie Mansion, unfolded just as the sun began to set on Sunday evening.

“Usually when the three of us are together, we are arguing the finer points of guns or consumer fraud,” Mr. Bloomberg said. This time, the occasion was both very public and very personal, and the smiling Mr. Bloomberg said he was “glad I asked to be part of it.” (The crowd chuckled, and Mr. Bloomberg added, “I did!”)

Watch the moving ceremony, AFTER THE JUMP...

Don't miss yesterday's big marriage equality update HERE.

NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg: "I'm Very Proud Of The State"

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the two staffers he'll marry today, Jonathan Mintz and John Feinblatt, appeared on CBS' Early Show yesterday to discuss the start of same-sex marriage here in the Empire State.

And, according to Bloomberg, New York's new law symbolizes America's greatest attribute.

"I've always thought that America's great strengths include the fact that we treat everybody equally and that we don't impose our religion on anybody else," said the mayor, who also said that he's "very proud of the state."

Mintz, meanwhile, said that he's excited about marriage because his and Feinblatt's children, two daughters, will finally see their dads wed: "It sends a massive signal to our children, first and foremost, that our family is equal to any other family."

News: Marriage Money, Jennifer Lopez, Rupert's Apology, Disney Land

Microsoft, Delta and Wells Fargo all leave anti-gay shopping site Christian Values Network; will Apple follow?

Actor Tom Hardy looks every bit the part for his new movie, Warrior.

As the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island orders gay priests to marry, other New York churches are grappling with how to adapt to the state's marriage equality law.

New York Republican lawmakers who backed marriage equality are raking in massive donations, and now social conservatives are calling for an investigation into whether Mike Bloomberg and other well-moneyed LGBT allies "bought" their votes.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have called it quits after seven years of marriage.

'Real Housewife' Countess Luann gets a gay send-up.

Arts and crafts have never been more fun, ever.

Gay MP Chris Bryant: the man behind Rupert Murdoch's fall?

In other Rupert Murdoch news, the media titan, or someone writing for him, penned an apology for the News of the World's hacking scandal: "We are sorry for the serious wrongdoing that occurred. We are deeply sorry for the hurt suffered by the individuals affected." Right.

Idelfonso Mendez, who's accused of leading a gruesome anti-gay hate crime in the Bronx last year, is suing the city after he allegedly broke his wrist during a car accident while being transported by the NYPD.

Gay presidential candidate Fred Karger takes on Marcus Bachmann.

Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall's unnecessarily controversial gay opera opened in London. And, no, the sky did not fall.

Microsoft's social network plan accidentally hits the web.

Missy Elliot and Spice make beautiful music.

Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson celebrated his Emmy nomination with a trip to Disney World.

Jamaican cop revokes comment linking gays to organized crime.

Bloomberg Says 'Thanks' with Donations to GOP Senators Who Voted for Marriage Equality

Donations in the amount of $10,300 (the maximum allowed) from Michael Bloomberg have landed in the coffers of Sens. Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo), Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga), Stephen Saland (R-Poughkeepsie) and James Alesi (R-Rochester) for their "yes" votes which helped propel passage of marriage equality in the state.

Buffalo News notes that Grisanti has received at least $50,000 in new funds for his marriage vote:

$10,000 from Colorado resident Tim Gill, who heads a group that has promoted gay marriage laws here and in other states.

Other donors to Grisanti who have publicly backed gay marriage rights include $5,000 from Miami-area resident Jonathan Kislak, $2,000 from Carol Master of Massachusetts, $10,000 from Albany-area resident Frank Selvaggi and $5,000 from Manhattan real estate developer Donald Capoccia.

Gay and lesbian couples will begin marrying in New York on Sunday, July 24.

As I mentioned yesterday, anti-gay activists are not giving up in the state and groups like NOM have announced that they are planning a financial assault on lawmakers who voted for the measure.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg To Preside Over Staffers' Gay Marriage

Hoorah for Michael Bloomberg!

The New York City mayor has been a fierce advocate for marriage equality over the past few months, lobbying in Albany and donating some of his billions to the cause.

Now that equality legislation has passed, Bloomberg will preside over the marriage of his long-time aide, John Feinblatt, and his partner of 14-years, Jonathan Mintz, who also works for the Bloomberg administration.

According to the New York Times, Bloomberg, who has previously presided over his daughter's wedding, as well as former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's nuptials, pulled Feinblatt aside last week and made the offer. Feinblatt then consulted with Mintz, who readily agreed, and now the wedding is on for July 24th, the first day same-sex couples can marry in the Empire State.

Bloomberg credits Mintz and Feinblatt with helping move him toward supporting marriage, and tells the Times,“John and Jonathan are two of the smartest and hardest-working people in our administration... This just felt like the best way for me to say thank you.”

Read more, AFTER THE JUMP...