U.S. Marine Corps captain Matthew Phelps asked, and his partner Ben Schock said yes.
On Saturday night, Phelps was photographed getting down on one knee in what is believed to be the first same-sex marriage proposal ever made in the White House. The couple’s engagement came 14 months after the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell’’ policy officially ended, and the joyful photo was quickly passed around on social media shortly after it was posted online by the American Military Partner Association. The proposal occurred while Phelps and Schock were taking a Christmas tour of the White House together.
“Such a special night surrounded by wonderful people in an amazing place, and the best is still yet to come," Phelps wrote on his Facebook page. "Thanks for all the wonderful greetings and messages, and thanks to Barack Obama and Michelle Obama for lending us your home for the occasion!"
“Such a wonderful night for us, and it’s received so much attention on Facebook!’’ Phelps also wrote on his blog. “Really, the only thing on my mind was making it a memorable and unforgettable night for Ben. Thank you all for the well wishes!!"
Phelps, who came out publicly at the Pentagon last year, has spoken publicly about the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy," giving lectures and writing several posts about it on his blog including one on what the end of the policy meant to him.
"I have served my country for almost 10 years without so much as a peep about my social life,'' he wrote. "Indeed, I haven’t had much of a social life because of this policy. It’s my turn to live my life as openly as I want. If people have a problem with it, that’s exactly what it is: their problem. I love being gay because I came to accept it through years of struggle and introspection and self-discovery. It is a big part of who I am because in accepting the fact that I was gay, I came to know myself better and become the man I am today."
Read More:
Same-sex wife of Army officer banned from joining Fort Bragg spouses club