Barney Frank Is Getting Married

Democratic Rep. Barney Frank plans to marry his same-sex partner in his home state of Massachusetts, Frank's office said Thursday.

A wedding date has not been set, according to a New England Cable News report, and a spokesman for the 16-term Massachusetts congressman declined to provide CNN with any additional details about when the couple will tie the knot. Frank, 71, has no plans to say anything about the event, spokesman Harry Gural said.

Frank, who is openly gay, met partner James Ready six years ago at a political fundraiser, the Washington Post reported. Ready was arrested in 2007 after police found marijuana plants in his backyard and ultimately pleaded guilty to civil possession of marijuana. Frank later confirmed he was present at the time of his partner's arrest, but said he never saw the plants and would not have recognized them anyway, according to the Boston Globe.

The Advocate described Ready in 2009 as a "handsome and sturdy 39-year-old who bears an uncanny resemblance to Sarah Palin’s snowmobiling husband, Todd."

Frank announced late last year he would not seek re-election in November. If the wedding takes place before Frank leaves office, it will be the first same-sex marriage of a sitting member of Congress.