Editorial: Scrambling to roll Easter eggs

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 | 7:36 a.m.

A group of gay- and lesbian-led families hoping to change public perceptions of what American families are supposed to look like are planning to turn out en masse for the annual Easter egg roll at the White House.

According to the Associated Press, members of the Family Pride Coalition and other groups have said they see their participation in the April 17 event as an opportunity to show that their families embrace the same kinds of activities as those led by heterosexual families.

Their goal is to enlist at least 400 families led by gays and lesbians to attend the egg roll, which has been hosted since the 1870s. They will be easy to spot, sporting T-shirts carrying the theme "Love makes a family."

Far-right conservatives who caught wind of the plan last week launched a countercampaign, accusing these groups of "crashing" the outing and suggesting the public event be invitation-only, as it was for military families in 2003.

One Family Pride spokeswoman told the AP that her group has received "a flood of hate-filled venomous messages," and added that some members are now fearing for their children's safety.

Intolerance always spoils the party. If these families felt their existence were fully accepted, there would be no call for T-shirts and organizing.

Being tolerant doesn't mean wholeheartedly agreeing with others' decisions. It means accepting that some decisions -- like who makes a family -- are personal and not anyone else's business.

Children who want to roll Easter eggs down the south lawn of the White House should go, even if their families have two mommies or two daddies. And the Bush administration, which said last week it will consider the matter when Easter is closer, should say right now that all who come are welcome.