Gay groups say Easter discrimination is no yolk

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • March 10, 2006 - 0:00

The White House Easter Egg Roll has been a family occasion in Washington since 1878.

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Gay groups are reacting to the increasing anti gay legislation in America by organising a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) family event outside the White House in Washington.

While several US states are currently debating issues such as gay marriage and adoption, the Family Pride Coalition, which campaigns for gay family equality, encouraged hundreds of LGBT families to attend the annual Easter egg roll outside the government building last weekend.

For the past five months, Family Pride has been working to encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families to attend the annual White House Egg Roll. This event, attended by hundreds of families each year, is seen as a great opportunity for LGBT families to participate in a great American tradition.

"Approximately 9 million children are being raised in LGBT-headed households. Our parents live in every corner of this country, rural and urban, red states and blue states, and 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," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director.

"By participating in this American tradition we hope to show our children a great time while introducing our families to the American public in a genuine and respectful way. I know my four-year-old twin sons are going to have a terrific time and I invite anyone with children to come to this cherished event."

However some groups are reacting less positively to the plans, Andrea Lafferty from church lobby group, the Traditional Values Coalition said, "For crying out loud, at the Easter Egg roll? This is a family event."

She called it "very distasteful" and inappropriate to politicise the occasion and to use children to do so."

"They're trying to cloak themselves in normalcy. It's not normal. The American people overwhelmingly believe it's not normal."

The White House Easter Egg Roll has been a family occasion in Washington since 1878.

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