WASHINGTON — The White House is allocating tickets for the upcoming Easter- egg roll to gay and lesbian parents as part of the Obama administration’s outreach to diverse communities.
Families say the gesture shows that the new Democratic administration values them as equal to other families. And for many, being included in the annual tradition — dating to 1878 — renews hope that they will have more support in their quest for equal rights.
White House officials said that tickets for Monday’s Easter event were distributed to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations but did not specify how many or to which ones. Representatives from Family Equality Council, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and other groups confirmed they were invited and encouraged to have their members participate.
It’s not the first time gay- and lesbian-headed families will participate.
During the George W. Bush administration, more than 100 gay families attended the 2006 event in part to make the statement that they should be welcome. Some conservatives accused gays and lesbians of trying to “crash” the event and turn it into a forum for ideological politicking.
This year already feels different, said Colleen Gillespie of Brooklyn, who helped spark the 2006 effort.
“We feel so welcomed and embraced, and that in a very real way, I think we can just go as a family and enjoy it,” said the 42-year-old assistant professor at New York University’s school of medicine, who is attending with her wife and their daughters, Ella and Zelda. “We don’t have to fight for our right to exist and be treated fairly.” The Associated Press
