Gay families to
attend White House Easter Egg Roll

Among the 16,000 guests at next Monday's White House Easter Egg Roll will be some 200 gay families, who are attending the annual event as part of an effort by Family Pride Coalition to show President Bush that families like theirs exist. Although the group claims they are not making a protest, some conservatives disagree, saying they're "crashing" the party, reports The New York Times. "We're not protesting the president's policies on gay families," Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the coalition, told the Times. "We are, however, helping him understand that gay families exist in this country and deserve the rights and protections that all families need." Countered Mark D. Tooley of the conservative Institute on Religion and Democracy: "It's facetious and not very persuasive for Family Pride to say they're not making a political statement." Although first lady Laura Bush, the hostess of the egg roll, would not give her personal take on the matter, her press secretary told the Times that "all families are welcome to attend...provided they comply with the rules." The gay families plan to wear rainbow leis to distinguish themselves. (The Advocate)