U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) hosted the wedding of Tampa couple, Mark Anderson and Keith Bucklew, today in her Capitol Hill office in Washington, D.C., where marriage for same-sex couples is legally recognized.

“We were happy and honored to welcome Mark and Keith to my office in Washington for their special occasion,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. U.S. Federal District Court Judge Susan C. Bucklew, Keith's sister-in-law, traveled from Florida to perform the ceremony.

“When same-sex couples wed in states (or the district) where their marriage is legally recognized – even if they reside in a nonrecognition state – they qualify for the same federal benefits that all married couples have enjoyed. Hopefully, Florida law and the state constitution will soon recognize marriage equality. Last year’s court ruling on DOMA was an important step, but a patchwork of laws exists on the state level.”

Mark and Keith have been partners for more than seven years and live in Tampa. Mark is a retired engineer and now serves on various boards, including Equality Florida. Keith is a Tampa native and owner of an architectural and interior design business.

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