"Senator Kerry could have made his point about gay and lesbian Americans without mentioning the Vice President's daughter. However, this shouldn't distract us from the fact that President Bush, Karl Rove and other Republicans have been using gay and lesbian families as a political wedge issue in this campaign."
--Patrick Guerriero, Log Cabin Republican Executive Director
It's time we started discussing the issue of being gay in America straight up.
-pun intended-
I cannot believe, with the way the Cheneys are acting, that they could be proud of their daughter, Mary. As an American with many gay friends and relatives, that really disturbs me. I feel embarrassed for Mary for having been put at the center of this controversy. The ones mostly responsible are her own parents.
Why are the Cheneys acting as if they are ashamed of their girl?
Why, Cheneys?
Is it because they think it will get them extra votes from Bible-thumping redneck gay-bashers in swing states? If so, the dirty shame is upon them, not Mary.
What on earth is wrong with someone referring to a third party as a lesbian?
If that person is a self-avowed lesbian, what is politically "cheap" about referring to her as such?
If someone lives their life proudly as a gay American and fights for the rights of other gay Americans (as Mary Cheney does), why should they (or their proud family) be offended by the very mention of the fact they're gay?
If the Cheneys respected all of our gay sons and daughters and wanted the best life for them and all gay Americans, why would they take pot-shots at people in public life who have shown particular interest in and promotion of gay rights?
Why hasn't Cheney been a better public spokeperson and politician for his own daughter's (and all gay American's) interests? Why have the Cheneys given the gay rights issue only lip service while exploiting their own child for the wedge issue they're purposefully dumping on the electoral doorstep?
The Cheneys must be hypocrites who are ashamed of their gay daughter. It's the only lesson I can take away from this turn of events.
I'm glad I don't have parents like Lynne and Dick Cheney. My parents would never think of doing this to me. If I were in Mary's place, the day after John Kerry made the comment about my life, I know my parents would have not exploited me. My loving parents would have made my life's hard work shine proudly in the face of any political hardship they were facing.
Poor Mary. My heart goes out to her and to all gay Americans who are being used for political sport. The way I see it, if you're going to be used as an example by a politician, you're best hope is that it's a politician who is actuallty fighting for what you've been fighting for.
Mary- John Kerry is on your side.
See Barbara O'Brien's commentary at American Street
IDDYBUD