Andy Cohenisgoing to be a dad— but where does he stand on marriage?

In a sit-down interview with PEOPLE in 2011, Cohen — who revealed on Thursday’sWatch What Happens Livethat he’s expecting his first child via surrogate in about six weeks — opened up about the New York Senate’s vote to legalize same-sex marriage in June of that year.

“I’m thrilled,” he said. “It was an issue I always supported but I didn’t realize how important it was to me and how strongly I felt about it until it was passed.”

Andy Cohen.Mike Coppola/Getty Images

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“It actually made me a little mad after it was passed. I found myself very upset about why it took so long,” he continued. “It made me wonder who I would be and where I would be if it had been legal 21 years ago when I graduated from college. I think I probably would have been married earlier. Because I think that if all you have to aspire to is moving in together in a relationship, it doesn’t make you question your relationship.”

“I would love to get married now,” he continued. “I’m thrilled about it and it made me think about it in a way I hadn’t before.”

Speaking to PEOPLE, Cohen said he “for sure” wanted a family one day.

“And I have many friends who have had kids alone, but I don’t think I can do it with the lifestyle I have right now,” he said at the time. “It’s not fair to the kid. I grew up in St. Louis with two parents and a sister and a lot of people around. I don’t have that supportive structure.”

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“Tonight, I want you to be the first to know that after many years of careful deliberation, a fair amount of prayers and the benefit of science — if all goes according to plan in about six weeks time I’m going to become a father,” he said.

“Thanks to a wonderful surrogate who is carrying my future,” he continued. “Family means everything to me and having one of my own is something that I have wanted in my heart for my entire life. Though it’s taken me longer than most to get there, I cannot wait for what I envision will be the most rewarding chapter yet.”

On Friday, Cohen thanked fans for the outpouring of support.

“Thank you for all the love and support!” he tweeted. “I’m overwhelmed and touched.”

source: people.com