Easter at the White House
By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Tuesday, April 18 2006, 11:02AM
All day yesterday I was checking in on the Republic of T web site for the big news. Terrance, who runs the blog, was taking his son to the White House Easter Egg Roll and I wanted to read the story. Well Terrance finally posted the story this morning along with some photos of his experience on the South Lawn.
Despite the little White House switcheroo that prevented many of the gay parents and their children from meeting the Commander In Chief or the First Lady, Terrance said he sensed no hostility from non-gay parents at the event. Instead, it seems the media were more interested in the event than anyone else.
Terrance says he arrived at the Ellipse around 10:30 yesterday morning and "I guess we were pretty easy to spot -- two men with a kid between them, holding hands, wearing leis -- because we were pounced on by two news crews before we could get halfway up the sidewalk."
When he got to the White House lawn, Terrance again found no real controversy. As he reports, "there really wasn?t much of a story. It wasn?t like we were going there to protest, yell slogans, wave signs, etc. We went to roll some eggs with our kids, and that?s what we did."
And finally, Terrance has some choice words for the critics. "That?s what mystified me about the people who said 'I don?t see why they have to do this at a kids? event.' 'I don?t think they should politicize a family event.' Um. We?re families with kids. And if Drudge hadn?t leaked news of the event on his site, probably no one would have known until just before or just after the event."
I have been to the White House Easter Egg Roll once before in the Clinton Administration, and it was a fun event for families. In reality, like many "kids' events" though, it's just as much fun for the parents as it is for the kids. Many of the kids I saw back then weren't old enough to know what the White House is or who was the President, but they would take from the experience a moment to treasure in their later years. Yesterday's Easter Egg Roll will be no different, I'm sure.
Comments conceal
Kevin C
April 18 2006, 12:38PM
Parker is really growing up. He is just too cute for words!!
I'm glad the children of gay couples were able to participate in the Easter Egg Roll.
Kevin C
ATL
chris-leo
April 19 2006, 12:31AM
i'm a little weirded out that somehow the post-easter main stream news has completely shut down the follow-up to this story. i haven't heard a peep.
Cathy
April 19 2006, 12:26PM
I was very proud of all the gay and lesbian families that participated at the egg roll.Being ignored by the media was surprising, but I guess it was hard for them to go hunting for monsters and to find only beautiful children like Parker.
Regan DuCasse
April 19 2006, 12:41PM
My gay friends who are parents have beautiful children. And this little guy in the picture is too cool handsome in his Easter suit!
I just checked out the blog of a hysterical minister from Atlanta who only has evil things to say about the motives of gay parents at the White House for Easter.
The deal is, gay parent's children don't look any different from anyone else's children.
The parents don't either. No one would have a clue, but for the rainbow colored leis.
I'm sure that when families who represent their backgrounds by wearing cultural or religious symbols, nobody would throw a hissie.
Soon, my people, soon....representing oneself as a gay headed family will become more of a yawner and no one will throw fits over married gay parents and their families.
After all, isn't a handsome little guy like this all that matters above everything?
JustinP
April 19 2006, 1:57PM
I just read this and another post of the gay parent with a cute kid ( http://www.lathefamily.org/warren3/blogs/001973.shtml )
and all I can say is BRAVO!!
Ted Nimmo
April 19 2006, 3:26PM
I don't know you but I'm so proud of you
alicia
April 19 2006, 5:49PM
go gay parents!
this was great news!
peace
ab