Gay U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas Celebrates His Marriage

Gay U.S. Representative Chris Pappas revealed his marriage to his boyfriend, Vann Bentley, on Twitter as having occurred late last month. The two had been engaged since December, and now the New Hampshire Democrat is excited to celebrate with his newlywed.

Vann and I are excited to share that we’re married!

We feel so fortunate to have found each other and to be building our life together, and we’re grateful for the love and support of family and friends. pic.twitter.com/MILyu95FWZ

— Chris Pappas (@ChrisPappasNH) February 20, 2023

“We feel so fortunate to have found each other and to be building our life together, and we’re grateful for the love and support of family” says Pappas.

Fellow Congressman Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Wisconsin and the chair of the Equality Caucus, commends the couple in writing, “Congratulations! Two great people make a great couple.”

Pappas has been an avid LGBTQ rights activist since the get-go, and since coming out, has become the first out gay man to represent New Hampshire in the U.S. Congress. He was at the forefront of pushing the Respect for Marriage Act which passed last year.

“The signing of this legislation is a landmark moment not just for the LGBTQ+ community, but for all Americans, because its enactment brings us one step closer to our country’s founding promise of guaranteeing liberty and justice for all,” Pappas says concerning the legislation.

Pappas believes that this law is necessary after the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the accompanying remarks of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas had expressed wishes that the high court would revisit other cases which were decided based on the ruling of Roe v. Wade. This could jeopardize the rulings of marriage equality made in the Supreme Court.

“The Obergefell decision extended marriage equality to all fifty states and the idea it could be overturned is unthinkable,” Pappas says. “But we know there are justices on the Supreme Court who want to reconsider that decision, and others that have protected rights rooted in the right to privacy, so the enactment of this legislation is critically important to ensure that no matter what the court does no family will have to worry the federal government will no longer recognize their union.”

Photo Credit: @ChrisPappasNH on Twitter