Should gay families participate in White House Easter festivities?

24601 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 03:33 PM

http://valleyadvocate.com/gbase/News...oid=oid:147679

An Anti-Gay Easter
Will the children of gay parents be allowed to participate in the White House"s annual Easter festivities?

by John Ireland - March 16, 2006

Which came first: the controversy or the egg? Whose children will be allowed to participate in the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll on April 17? Not the sons and daughters of gay parents, if the Christian right gets its way.
In November, when the Family Pride Coalition, a D.C.-based gay rights advocacy group, invited its members to participate in one of the "great traditions of our country," the religious Right sprang into action. The Institute on Religion and Democracy, a religious think tank, accused the Family Pride Coalition of trying to "exploit a children's event for political purposes." Even the White House has weighed in.

"Will the president take any measures to prevent these activists from using this non-political event as a way to push their agenda on the rest of us?" asked a pool reporter (not Jeff Gannon). White House spokesman Scott McClellan responded, "We'll talk about it as we get closer. I've seen a couple of reports about it; I don't know how extensive that reporting has been. But this has been a family event for a long time and the president always looks forward to this event. "

Jennifer Chrisler, Family Pride executive director, defended the coalition's organizing effort: "Approximately 9 million children are being raised in Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender-headed households. We strive like every other parent in this country to give our children the best opportunities, to shower them with love, to teach them respect and a love for the rich and diverse traditions America has to offer them."

The Family Pride Coalition plans to issue egg rollers T-shirts that bear a "non-political message," such as "Love Makes a Family." But in light of the U.S. Capitol police dragging Cindy Sheehan out of the House of Representatives gallery before the President's State of the Union speech in January, wearing a T-shirt these days might be a bit too extreme.

For gay parents and their children, simply going out in public as a family could be considered political in most communities across the United States. Gay parents holding hands at the White House Easter Egg Roll would be considered by many an aggressive statement. Why? The anti-gay movement is threatened by people who are visibly gay, because that leads to normalization and a relaxing of stigmas.

The Christian Right blogosphere is afire, condemning the presence of gay parents on the White House lawn as "nearly terrorist threats from the homo lobby." One post suggests that "White House psychologists" should be deployed to help the children of gay parents, and implies that they are molested in their homes. Another wishes the gays "good luck," noting that "the Secret Service carries automatic weapons."

Such posts are, of course, "those of the individual posters" to http://www.FreeRepublic.com, "and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its operators." The site claims 200,000 registered members, known as "Freepers," and a daily readership of "tens of thousands." Free Republic, founded in 1996, has been embraced by right-wing social conservatives as the online water cooler for "patriots" who are "biased toward God, country, family, liberty and freedom."

Or at least liberty and freedom for some. "These lowlife scum should just be mowed down like terrorists," writes one good Christian.

With 16,000 tickets issued for last year's event, the Easter Egg Roll is the White House's largest public celebration. Rutherford B. Hayes was the first president to invite children to spend the morning playing Easter games on the White House lawn. Since 1878, First Ladies have added personal touches. Lou Hoover added Maypole dances. Eleanor Roosevelt greeted the nation via radio from the event in 1933. Pat Nixon introduced the tradition of a White House staffer dressing up as the Easter Bunny. It was under her watch that spoons used in the egg roll race were borrowed from the White House kitchen.

This is not the first time the Egg Roll has seen controversy. In 1954, Mamie Eisenhower allowed African-American parents and their children on the White House lawn for the first time. She did not consider the decision political, but for many white citizens, the only blacks they wanted to see on the White House lawn were gardeners.

Today some conservative bloggers have suggested that President George W. Bush cancel the event or "de-gay" it by restricting attendance to military families, as he did in 2003.

Often called "the people's house," the White House is the ultimate site for the ideals of our government, the legacy of our struggle for independence and liberty. If gay families are not equally welcome there, the message will resonate far beyond its walls.

24601 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 03:36 PM

This is what Family Pride Coalition has planned:
http://www.familypride.org/site/pp.a...PFImE&b=992293

White House Egg Roll 2006 April 17, 2006, Washington, DC

Join hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families!!!

REGISTER TODAY!!!!

It's time to claim our place at the table.

With your help, on April 17th 2006, our nation will see hundreds of LGBT families filling the White House lawn, rolling easter eggs side by side with our fellow citizens. There is no more powerful way to change the national discussion around our families and our rights than to introduce ourselves to our neighbors on a grand scale. Join us in making history, having fun and showing off our amazing families to the country!

White House Egg Roll Facts & FAQ

The National Park Service will distribute free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 7:30am on Saturday, April 15, 2006.
A maximum of five tickets will be issued per person.
Children of all ages can attend but there must be at least one child seven years old or younger and no more than two adults per group.
Ticket holders are admitted to the South Lawn of the White House between 8am and 2pm on April 17.
Groups of about 250-500 ticket holders are admitted at 15-minute intervals.
We need to be in line by Friday evening to be the first ones on the White House lawn so we can maximize our impact.

FAQ

Is this a protest?

No, this is a celebration of our families. We want to give our fellow citizens the opportunity to see us as real families, participating in a great American tradition on the White House lawn, rather than protesting from the sidelines.

How do I get tickets?

In order to get tickets, one adult needs to stand in line beginning on Friday evening at around 8pm. Tickets will be distributed early Saturday morning. Each adult can get up to five tickets, so only one family member need wait in line.

I can't stand in line - can I still participate?

Yes. We are securing volunteers to stand in line. If you know someone that can stand in line for you, please let us know and we will use those folks to collect tickets.

What happens if it rains?

If it's raining on the morning of the event, the National Park Service makes a determination about whether to close the event. In the last three years, despite rain, the first hour of the event has always been held. Our goal is to be in the first four contingents that are admitted to the White House Lawn.

I can't afford a hotel - what do I do?

We are working with the local DC LGBT parenting community to find volunteers to provide housing. Please indicate if you need housing when you register.

Once we're on the lawn, how will they know that we're an LGBT family?

Family Pride will be hosting a pre-Easter Egg Roll gathering on Monday morning where we will give out T-shirts to everyone participating. The T-shirts will have a non-political message about our families but will clearly identify us as LGBT parents and families.

Will the media be there?

The White House Easter Egg Roll always has TV media and photographers on hand.

Do you expect any reaction from the White House?

We believe if the Administration learns of this action too early, they could close the event to the public making it an invitation only event. There is a slim chance that on the day of the event the White House could prohibit our families from participating. In that event, we will gather together as a group as close to the media as possible to share our story. We are a family organization and under no circumstance will we intentionally put our families at risk.

fanof24 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 04:49 PM

Should gay families participate in the festivities? Why not?? But I don't see the reason behind the need to wear t-shirts and the like to advertise who they are. I think the day should be spent allowing the kids to be kids in an event that is family fun. Any other issues should be, IMO, addressed in another setting.

crkramp · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 05:18 PM

I agree with fan. In addition to what she said about saving the T-shirts for a different setting, I would say that T-shirts in general are inappropriate for this sort of thing, I don't care what they say. Just go and be a family. That's the most important message - that familes with gay parents are no different from families with a mother and a father.

momof4boys · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 12:40 PM

I think the children should be able to partcipate. It isn't their fault who their parents are and they shouldn't put punished.

kwright · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 01:08 PM

Of course not, they aren't American, hell they aren't even Human [/sarcasm]

of course they should be allowed, with out question.

midwifemommyofmany · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 02:29 PM

Of course they AND their parents should be allowed to participate. I draw the line at the shirts, though....its a family event not a political event.

DuchsLove · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 10:56 PM

Of course they should be allowed to participate. Unless it is only for military families again, EVERYONE should be welcomed.

No T-shirts, ok..fine. Also, no messages of any sort promoting one particular group. No Christian T-shirts with Biblical messages on them. No protestors carrying signs condemming me and my family to hell...etc. If they don't want to sanction those things as well, then my kid would be wearing the brightest rainbow flag T-shirt of the bunch. If the event is not about making a political statement, then that MUST hold true for all groups, not just the gay rights groups.

snickers · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 05:00 AM

No T-shirts, ok..fine. Also, no messages of any sort promoting one particular group. No Christian T-shirts with Biblical messages on them. No protestors carrying signs condemming me and my family to hell...etc. If they don't want to sanction those things as well, then my kid would be wearing the brightest rainbow flag T-shirt of the bunch. If the event is not about making a political statement, then that MUST hold true for all groups, not just the gay rights groups.

Very well said.

newmattick · #10 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 08:32 AM

why can't they wear t-shirts?

They say it will have a non political message. It is not liek they are going to say "Bush hates gay people".

I think the t-shirts are there to make sure they are identified as a gay family. (as opposed to aunt and unccles, etc).

If the message is suppose to be "gay families are just liek straight families...how do they make sure the message gets across if be assume they are not gay?

I think the t-shirts are much better than a mass public display of affection

ZackZaneMom · #11 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 08:38 AM

I think anyone who wants to go should be allowed too. I don't think they should wear the T-shirts. That doesn't help there stance at all, it just makes them another target.

newmattick · #12 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 08:41 AM

How does it not help their stance? I don't understand. The purpose of going to the White House Hunt is to show the world that Gay fmailies are perfectly normal...

how does making sure someone knows you are gay..instead of assuming somethign else...not help their stance?

ZackZaneMom · #13 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 10:04 AM

How does it not help their stance? I don't understand. The purpose of going to the White House Hunt is to show the world that Gay fmailies are perfectly normal...

how does making sure someone knows you are gay..instead of assuming somethign else...not help their stance?

Because if people don't want you at a event, but you get to go anyway. Why not focus on having a good time with your kids. Why do you have to turn it into, we are a gay family and proud thing? That just makes the people who didn't want you there, fight harder to not let you go to the next one.

newmattick · #14 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 11:00 AM

but what good does not appearing gay do to change those people's minds?
So you have to sit back and let idiots tell you you can't be proud of who you are?

I just don't get it. What si so wrong with a t-shirt?

fanof24 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 11:29 AM

If someone tells you not to be proud of who you are, is that going to make you not be proud?

I think if the purpose of gay families wanting to go is to show they are just like any other family, the t-shirts negate that. Any other family is not going to be wearing t-shirts advertising they are a blended family, nuclear family, etc. And I think the t-shirts at an Easter egg hunt are just not appropriate.

There are PLENTY of other situations where those shirts would be appropriate and this just isn't one of them. I agree, too, that NO shirts with any kind of message should be allowed. It's just not that kind of event.

Have fun with the kids.......

midwifemommyofmany · #16 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 11:41 AM

There are PLENTY of other situations where those shirts would be appropriate and this just isn't one of them. I agree, too, that NO shirts with any kind of message should be allowed. It's just not that kind of event.

ITA. To me, I think just being there with the kids shows that gay families are just like other families (which I totally believe). There are plenty of other venues in which to protest or show your gay pride.

ZackZaneMom · #17 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 01:23 PM

but what good does not appearing gay do to change those people's minds?
So you have to sit back and let idiots tell you you can't be proud of who you are?

I just don't get it. What si so wrong with a t-shirt?

This is a Easter activity for you to enjoy with your kids. This isn't a gay pride celebration.

newmattick · #18 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 01:58 PM

again..how do you know who is a gay fmaily and who is there with 2 aunts?

The t-shirts are meant to identify the families.

THe OP mentioned the uproar when African american families participated. I think this is the same...except in most cases you can't tell who is gay by looking at them as you can with race.

If no one knows they are a gay fmaily..how are they suppose to help teach people that they are normal?

ZackZaneMom · #19 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 02:06 PM

again..how do you know who is a gay fmaily and who is there with 2 aunts?

The t-shirts are meant to identify the families.

THe OP mentioned the uproar when African american families participated. I think this is the same...except in most cases you can't tell who is gay by looking at them as you can with race.

If no one knows they are a gay fmaily..how are they suppose to help teach people that they are normal?

Why do they need to be pointed out? Why can't they just go and have a good time? Why do they need attention? What purpose will that serve?

fanof24 · #20 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 02:16 PM

How many ppl look at a family with 1, 2, 3 kids and two women and assume it's two aunts with the kids? Or the mom and her best friend? I'll admit that I assume it's a gay couple every time I see two ppl of the same sex together with kids anywhere. I would never assume it's relatives.

And even if those who attend look at two moms and assume it's an aunt and a mom, why does that matter? It's an Easter egg hunt. No one is paying attention to who is the parent of what child anyway. If you know you are gay and you bring your partner and your children to the Easter egg hunt, what is the point of making everyone know you are gay? To show you are normal? I don't think it's normal to make it a point to profess your sexuality at every event you attend. I actually thought that was what most gays and lesbians were trying to make others understand, that they are ppl just like straights; that they cannot be defined solely on what they do in the bedroom.