The gay businessman who let Rudy Giuliani stay at his home during the then-mayor's public divorce saga in 2001 claims the one-time presidential candidate is backing off his promise to officiate at his wedding now that gay marriage is legal in New York.
Howard Koeppel, a car dealer, and his longtime partner Mark Hsiao invited Giuliani to live as a guest in their Midtown home for six months when his crumbling marriage forced him to move out of Gracie Mansion.
At some point during that time, Koeppel asked Giuliani if he would wed the couple. Giuliani said he would if gay marriage ever became legal in New York, Koeppel tells the New York Post.
But now that Koeppel can legally marry his 10-year partner, he says Giuliani isn’t returning his calls.
“It seems like a lot of people he was close to become persona non grata,” a miffed Koeppel told the Post.
Koeppel and Hsiao tied the knot in Connecticut, one of six states where same-sex marriage is legal, two years ago. Giuliani was a last-minute no-show at those nuptials. And now Koeppel wants to get married again in New York – with Giuliani presiding. Mayors of New York City can still legally perform weddings even after they’re no longer in office.
At the very least, Koeppel wants Giuliani to return his phone calls. And if the former mayor won’t conduct his wedding ceremony, Koeppel wants to know why.
“He wouldn’t be married three times if he was holier than thou,” Koeppel told the Post.
Giuliani’s spokeswoman did not return the Post’s calls for comment.
Giuliani has remained staunchly opposed to same-sex marriage, though he has previously endorsed civil unions and domestic partnerships.
Earlier this week, the Republican even commended New York state for legalizing same-sex marriage, saying "I'm glad that people who felt discriminated against have that, sort of, burden of discrimination lifted."
