Sam Champion And Rubem Robierb Marry In New York

Sam Champion and Rubem Robierb made it official yesterday in the Big Apple.

People magazine reports that the Good Morning America weatherman and his photographer beau kept it short and sweet: a ten-minute ceremony with friends and family at their apartment. The men will also have a ceremony on New Year's Eve in Miami, where they met.

"That's going to be the big party," [Champion] said. "This is the legal moment that we wanted to celebrate with friends and family and loved ones."

The couple couldn't be more excited to make it official. "Rubem said it best. It's the societal affirmation of our relationship. We feel like it's the most important relationship in our lives, and so to be able to share that with the people we love and have it legitimized in that way is really profound. It's not something we take lightly at all."

"It's a shame we can't officially have a legal ceremony in Florida," added Champion. "We're not separating them, because we'd like to do it twice. New York it will be legal. Miami will be the spiritual side to celebrate with the people who have been with us and supporting us and been a part of our lives since we met. We want to celebrate with them."

Long out in New York City, Champion came out publicly when he announced his engagement in October.

I'm Gay: The 50 Most Powerful Coming Outs of 2012

2012: GAYEST YEAR EVER

"The fact is, I'm gay." Anderson Cooper's long-awaited announcement sums what it meant to come out in 2012. Again and again we heard the same sentiment — from pop singer Mika's equally anticipated confirmation, "If you ask me am I gay, I say yeah," to actor Andrew Rannells casually remarking about relating to a gay character, "I am gay in real life, so I definitely get it." —  proving that coming out today is in many cases a non-event, and certainly secondary to other achievements.

Yes, a lot has changed in the 15 years since Time magazine ran that cover of Ellen DeGeneres declaring, "Yep, I'm Gay," and even in the six since Lance Bass told People, "I'm Gay." Entertainment Weekly published a cover story this summer called "The New Art Of Coming Out," concluding, "The current vibe for discussing one’s sexuality is almost defiantly mellow."

Yet most of this positive change has happened in familiar territory.

Former NFL star Wade Davis' coming out was a first, as was current professional boxer Orlando Cruz's. And Lee "Uncle Poodle" Thompson from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo helped broaden the overall discussion about LGBT people. But there are a few people on this list who were less valiant, like Republican Sheriff Paul Babeu, and still others who remained quiet about their sexuality to the day they died. The debate over balance between privacy and responsibility is still one worth having, and clearly there are more arenas where LGBT people need space to shine.

All in all, though, 2012 shows that gay people who break down that closet can have it all.

Who had the 50 Most Powerful Coming Outs of 2012?

Find out (in alphabetical order), AFTER THE JUMP...

Sam Champion Talks About Engagement Announcement: VIDEO

On this morning's Good Morning America, Sam Champion's fiancé Rubem Robierb waved from backstage as Champion was asked about the announcement late on Friday that he was engaged to be married.

“I have met the most wonderful, giving, loving, caring person. I am so, so lucky to have someone like this in my life,” Champion said.

Champion said he has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support — from social media to the streets of New York City. Robierb stood alongside off-camera at the “GMA” studio today as Champion talked about their happy news.

“I felt like we lived in a small town… I was born in Paducah, Kentucky, and to me that’s exactly what it felt like. We walked out on the street and everyone was like, ‘Hey, congratulations,’” Champion said. “Thank you for the tweets, and the Facebook and just coming up on the street and saying the most wonderful things.”

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

News: $181 Million, Gay Avengers, 'Ex-Gay' Ban, Slavery Praise

Will Ann Romney congratulate gay weatherman Sam Champion on his forthcoming marriage when she hosts GMA?

Mitt Romney and his body doubles.

The New York City Health Department found six "critical" violations at the Italian restaurant owned by Lady Gaga's parents.

President Obama's reelection campaign says they raised over $181 million the month of September, meaning the president is inching closer to the $1 billion fundraising mark.

The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy told its 3,000 members that "ex-gay therapy" is now banned. Their letter also noted that "the diversity of human sexualities is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment."

David Blaine is electric.

More pictures of Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello at the GLSEN Respect Awards.

Meredith Baxter is narrating a documentary about the 2009 police raid at a Fort Worth gay bar. "I think it's important for people to realize that events like what happened at the Rainbow Lounge are still happening in our lifetime," said Raid of the Rainbow Lounge director Robert L. Camina.

Karen Andresen, the mother of a teen denied Eagle Scout status for being gay, will appear on Ellen next week.

Gay activists in Serbia held a silent protest and pride event indoors after police banned their planned pride parade for the second year in a row.

Colin Farrell tells Ellen DeGeneres he loves getting wet and sweaty.

Gay heroes Wiccan and Hulkling would make a great addition to the new, more diverse Avengers, says Newsarama.

Arkansas State Rep. Jon Hubbard thinks slavery may have been a "blessing in disguise": "The institution of slavery that the black race has long believed to be an abomination upon its people may actually have been a blessing in disguise. The blacks who could endure those conditions and circumstances would someday be rewarded with citizenship in the greatest nation ever established upon the face of the Earth."

Sam Champion is Gay and Engaged to Be Married

TV meteorologist Sam Champion is gay and engaged to be married to his boyfriend Rubem Robierb, ABC News reports:

“We are thrilled and so excited and thank everyone for their good wishes,” says Champion.

Champion and Robierb met through mutual friends a few years ago in Miami, where Robierb lives. Born in Brazil, Robierb is a fine-arts photographer who shows his work in Miami, Atlanta, Santa Monica and New York.
The two plan to wed later this year.

Champion also discusses his engagement in a report on last weekend's wedding of MSNBC Anchor Thomas Roberts to Patrick Abner, published in the Vows section today:

Among the 170 or so guests at the reception was Sam Champion, the weather anchor at ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He took a turn on the dance floor with his partner, the photographer Rubem Robierb.

“We’re getting married New Year’s Eve in Miami,” Mr. Champion said in the spirit of the moment.

Mr. Robierb corrected him: “We’ll do it here officially, and then have a party in Miami.”

Tweeted Champion this afternoon: "I've never been happier to share a bit of personal news!!"

While Champion has dwelled in a so-called 'glass closet' for some time, I believe this is the first time Champion has discussed his sexuality publicly. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Congrats in any case!

Watch: The Britney Spears 'GMA' Concert

Spears performed "Hold It Against Me", "Big Fat Bass", and "Till the World Ends" at her Brit-stravaganza taped earlier this week in front of fans at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...