Westerwelle isn't just foreign minister, he's also vice chancellor. (Chancellor is the most powerful post in German government.) And the head of the junior partner in the current government coalition.

Let's just say there's been more than one occasion where he could have done a lot more to make real equality happen. But he seems more concerned about pushing his party's political goal in the area of economics, and about not pissing off the bigger partner in the coalition.

Still, I'm happy for him and his partner. They've been together for years now, so I'm sure they're overjoyed to take this step. :)