Lynne Cheney's Misdirected Anger

by Sydney Besen (mother of Wayne Besen)
Oct 29, 2004
Baltimore Gay Life

Lynne Cheney is angry with John Kerry for mentioning Mary Cheney in the last debate. She says she is an "indignant mom" because Senator Kerry called her daughter a lesbian, an acknowledgment her own husband made on national TV.

Well, Lynne, I am an indignant mom too.

I am indignant with you for implying that because John Kerry mentioned Mary is a lesbian that is somehow "tawdry" (to use you own word).

I am also indignant that you and the vice president have had a bully pulpit for four years and never stood up in outrage against a party agenda that seeks to diminish the civil rights of a daughter you claim to love and respect.

I am an indignant mom too, that you have not opened a dialogue to show that homosexuality is not a republican or democratic issue, a liberal or conservative issue, a black or white issue or an issue of faith. It is a family issue where all families are touched by it.

All of us know gay and lesbian people who are our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, our brothers and sisters and our sons and daughters. These are our loved ones that your right wing cohorts continually use as a whipping post for political purposes.

I am an indignant mom too, who has watched you, Lynne, use John Kerry's kind and compassionate words to further the cause of a president who wishes to have a constitutional amendment against the commitment and security of Mary and her life partner as if they are lesser people than your other daughter and her spouse.

I am an indignant mom too, because I also have a gay child. But, unlike you, I am proud of the human being my child is. Unlike you, I stand up every chance I get and fight for my son's right to the equality he deserves. Unfortunately, my voice is not as loud as your voice could have been.

You, Lynne, in my opinion, have squandered your unique position to change the hearts and minds of many.

It is my hope that one day your daughter will live in a world that doesn't consider her "tawdry" just because she is who she is. It is also my hope that you, as a mother, redirect your anger and be indignant at those who would hurt your child.


©2009 Wayne Besen. All rights reserved. Used with Permission

Wayne Besen is a nationally recognized advocate for gay and lesbian rights. He has appeared as a guest on leading news and political talk shows including: NBC Nightly News, The Roseanne Show, CNN's Talk Back Live and The Point, Fox's O'Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes, Fox News and MSNBC News.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that counters anti-gay propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life.

Contact Wayne: Phone: 917-691-5118        Email: wbesen@truthwinsout.org

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