US ambassador to Australia marries in private same-sex ceremony

The 54-year-old former head of the Office of Personnel Management - which oversees the US public service - is the first openly gay US ambassador to serve in a Group of 20 nation and the highest ranking openly gay man in United States history.

In a short statement, Mr Berry confirmed the nuptials, telling news.com.au, "John Berry and Curtis Yee, partners of 17 years, were formally married on Saturday August 10, at St Margaret's Episcopal Church in Washington DC.

"Music was provided by Dr. Theodore Guerrant and soloist, Christian Hoff. The wedding was attended by family and close friends, including the Secretary Of the Department of Interior, who then celebrated after the service at the home of Mr Yee and Mr Berry."

Mr Berry joins the current US ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, David Huebner, as an openly gay diplomat. He is the fourth openly gay ambassador.

While Mr Berry has yet to step foot on Australian soil in his new role he has already received praise from gay marriage campaigners who hope he will highlight the evolution of marriage equality in the States and match that in Australia.

"It's a happy time when any couple marries and I congratulate John Berry and Curtis Lee on their special day and wish them well for their married life together," Australian Marriage Equality national convener Rodney Croome said.

"Sadly, they join hundreds of other same-sex couples whose overseas same-sex marriages aren't recognised under Australian law.

"It will be a source of deep embarrassment for many Australians that our law fails to respect the marriage of the chief representative of our closest friend and ally, the United States."

Mr Berry's husband, a former lawyer and Hawaii native, will join him in Australia.

In June, President Barack Obama nominated Mr Berry to serve as the US Ambassador of Australia after former ambassador Jeffrey Bleich stepped down from the position.

Mr Bleich had held the post since November 2009 and a date has yet to be set on when he will step down from his Canberra role.

"I know John as a smart, energetic and extremely likable man who is enthusiastic about the US-Australian relationship," Mr Bleich told Fairfax Media.

"He is a talented and dedicated public servant with a wealth of experience in senior level positions. I am hopeful that the US Senate will act favourably on his nomination, and look forward to the opportunity to work with him to ensure a seamless transition."

In an emotional video posted as part of the It Gets Better campaign in 2010, Mr Berry said he was lucky to have never been bullied, but that he "was afraid of who he was".

"It wasn't easy. My dad, a marine sergeant who went to mass every day, asked me when I came out to him not to bring my partner over to the house," he said.

"Ten years later, when my partner was dying from AIDS, my dad held him in his arms and told him, 'I love you like my own son'. Things do get better."

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd renewed hopes for same-sex marriage in Australia last night after pledging to introduce a conscience vote within the first 100 days of re-election.

"I support marriage equality, I believe this is a mark of decency to same-sex couples across the country and for that to be formalised," Mr Rudd said during the Leader's debate.

"We will allow a full conscience vote, I would appeal to Mr Abbott to do the same."

Australian Marriage Equality is calling for marriage equality supporters to pledge to vote for love, launching a website informing voters where their candidates stand on the issue.

Continue the conversation via Twitter @the_mattyoung | @AMEQUALITY

###