What Do You Think?
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Hundreds of gay and lesbian parents hoping to take their families to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll plan to start lining up Friday evening to make sure they get tickets for the Monday event.
Thousands of tickets -- an estimated 16,000 last year -- are given away on a first-come-first-come basis beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
National Park Service officials said Wednesday that children of all ages may attend as long as there is at least one child 7 years old or younger, and no more than two adults per group.
First lady Laura Bush's office issued a statement saying all families are welcome to attend.
"I don't think this is a protest," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Pride Coalition. "Showing up, participating fully in an American tradition, showing Americans that we do exist, that in our minds isn't a protest."
Some say the gay and lesbian parents are playing politics.
"I think it's inappropriate to use a children's event to make a political statement," said Mark D. Tooley, of the Institute on Religion and Democracy.
The gay and lesbian parents say they won't carry signs or chant slogans, but will wear rainbow-colored leis as a unifying symbol.
"The message is that gay and lesbian families are everywhere in this country," said Chrisler.
"We care about the same things that all parents care about: providing our children with every opportunity and every experience possible."
The egg roll has been a Washington tradition since the mid-19th century. Children use spoons to push colored eggs through the grass in a race. Past events have included petting zoos and White House staff members in bunny costumes.
The president sometimes makes a brief appearance, and the first lady often reads a story. The White House has not announced plans for this year.
What do you think about the parents making a statement by attending the Easter Egg Roll and making themselves identifiable with the leis around their neck?
My opinion: I think that parents of gay children should attend, but I think that wearing the leis is not needed. What would really piss off some conservatives is if they acted like straight people and held hands and kissed in public.
Thousands of tickets -- an estimated 16,000 last year -- are given away on a first-come-first-come basis beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
National Park Service officials said Wednesday that children of all ages may attend as long as there is at least one child 7 years old or younger, and no more than two adults per group.
First lady Laura Bush's office issued a statement saying all families are welcome to attend.
"I don't think this is a protest," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Pride Coalition. "Showing up, participating fully in an American tradition, showing Americans that we do exist, that in our minds isn't a protest."
Some say the gay and lesbian parents are playing politics.
"I think it's inappropriate to use a children's event to make a political statement," said Mark D. Tooley, of the Institute on Religion and Democracy.
The gay and lesbian parents say they won't carry signs or chant slogans, but will wear rainbow-colored leis as a unifying symbol.
"The message is that gay and lesbian families are everywhere in this country," said Chrisler.
"We care about the same things that all parents care about: providing our children with every opportunity and every experience possible."
The egg roll has been a Washington tradition since the mid-19th century. Children use spoons to push colored eggs through the grass in a race. Past events have included petting zoos and White House staff members in bunny costumes.
The president sometimes makes a brief appearance, and the first lady often reads a story. The White House has not announced plans for this year.
What do you think about the parents making a statement by attending the Easter Egg Roll and making themselves identifiable with the leis around their neck?
My opinion: I think that parents of gay children should attend, but I think that wearing the leis is not needed. What would really piss off some conservatives is if they acted like straight people and held hands and kissed in public.
posted by That Dude Right There at
4/13/2006 03:58:00 PM
4 Comments:
I agree with them it's smart. They don't have to use any words or say anything. All they have to do is stand their. Showing them they GLBT people are just like everyone else and their children are just as normal.
Heh...I like your opinion regarding the approach. Of course that won't happen but could you imagine the reactions..:-)
I think they're doing a good thing.
i agree 100% with what you said in the blue.
but not all conservatives are like that!
Captain,
You must be a Republican!
What proof do you have to support your theory? I know of several gay couples with children who are well adjusted and live "normal" lives. Do you know any of the opposite?
And how in the hell can you be gay and anti-gay at the same time? You are truly a ball of confusion.
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