PFLAG blasts GOP & Cheney family for hiding Mary

PFLAG PRESS RELEASE - 2 Sept 2004

PFLAG Wants to Know: Where Was Mary?; Cheney Family Appearance Spotlights Absence of Lesbian Daughter

Contact: Alice Leeds, 212-874-0675 or 917-523-5029 or aleeds@pflag.org, or Taylor Thompson, 202-467-8180, ext. 213 or tthompson@pflag.org, both of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

WASHINGTON -- At the Republican Convention last night, Vice President Dick Cheney gave the acceptance address and then appeared with his wife, daughter, son-in-law grandchild number 1, grandchild number 2, grandchild number 3 and, awash in the bright stage lights and swathed in blankey, infant grandchild number 4. But where was Cheney's lesbian daughter, Mary?

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) wants to know: why wasn't Mary allowed to be a part of the important event? Were the convention organizers worried that her presence would reinforce what the Vice President stated last week -- that he opposes the President's call for a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and loves and supports his daughter as she is?

"PFLAG moms and dads were moved by Dick Cheney's words of pride for Mary and her basic rights to equal freedoms in America. That made her conspicuous absence from last night's celebration especially disheartening," said Sam Thoron, PFLAG's president and father of a lesbian daughter.

"Sadly, the message last night was that Mary was not welcome to share the stage with her straight sister," said Ron Schlittler, executive director of PFLAG. "It was a missed opportunity by Lynn and Dick Cheney to show the country a family in all its diversity, sharing an exciting moment together."