DOZENS of gay couples and their children are planning to make their presence felt at the annual White House Easter egg party today - no matter what the conservative occupants think. The Easter Egg Roll is a traditional all-American event held on the White House lawn each year since 1878, where kids push an egg with a giant wooden spoon, often with the proud president and his wife looking on. But gay groups joined the queue for tickets - which were given out to families on a first-come, first served basis at the White House on Saturday.
Despite the opposition of conservative religious groups however, Bush and his wife Laura have made it known they will not stop the gay parents from attending. The gay groups say their gesture is to make their presence felt in American society - the President has supported calls for a constitutional ban on gay marriage. "Like other parents in this country, we want 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 for the Family Pride Coalition.
Family Pride has been behind the calls for gay groups to crash the White House party which conservatives have condemned as an attempt to politicise a family event. But the homosexual groups say there will not be a protest.
Family Pride spokeswoman Cathy Renna said about 100 families had already indicated they planned to attend. They have committed though not to use slogans or even wear t-shirts that could get them barred from the White House.
Ms Renna said the families would wear flowers in "rainbow colors" which symbolize gay pride. "Just so that people identify us and our families are visible, because unfortunately we're not visible in this country." The First Lady traditionally organizes the Easter Egg Roll. Laura Bush's office had little comment except to note the rules of the event: children of all ages are welcome but there must be at least one aged under seven in each group and no more than two adults in each group.The office did not say anything about the sex of the parents.
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