Mary's Baby

All of the wingnuts are in an uproar over the announcement that Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Dead-Eye-Dick, is pregnant. Her openness regarding her sexual orientation has always been a point of contention for admirers of her father, and his vocal opposition to homosexual rights. Cheney's office has refused to comment on the matter thus far.

Janice Crouse of Concerned Women for America described the pregnancy as "unconscionable", adding "It's very disappointing that a celebrity couple like this would deliberately bring into the world a child that will never have a father; they are encouraging people who don't have the advantages they have." The Bush administration, which already has been chided by conservatives for what they felt was a halfhearted commitment to anti-abortion and anti-gay-rights causes in this year's general election, can't help but be damaged by this.

Carrie Gordon Earll of the conservative Christian ministry Focus on the Family, expressed empathy for the Cheney family but added, "Just because you can conceive a child outside a one-woman, one-man marriage doesn't mean it's a good idea. Love can't replace a mother and a father."

Mary Cheney, 37, and her partner of 15 years, Heather Poe, 45, are expecting the baby in late spring, according to a spokesperson for the vice-president.The couple moved from Colorado to Virginia a year ago to be closer to the Cheney family.

Family Pride, which advocates on behalf of gay and lesbian families, noted that Virginia last month became one of 27 states with a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
"Unless they move to a handful of less restrictive states, Heather will never be able to have a legal relationship with her child," said Family Pride executive director Jennifer Chrisler.

The couple "will quickly face the reality that no matter how loved their child will be. ... he or she will never have the same protections that other children born to heterosexual couples enjoy," Chrisler said. "Grandfather Cheney will no doubt face a lifetime of sleepless nights as he reflects on the irreparable harm he and his administration have done to the millions of American gay and lesbian parents and their children.".