by Anthony Glassman

Washington, D.C.--Queer families at this year?s White House Easter Egg Roll were met with the same reception as all the other families, while the media and the administration focused more on anti-war protesters across the street.

Around 100 members of gay and lesbian families attended the annual event, including Jennifer Chrisler, the executive director of Family Pride, her partner, former Human Rights Campaign executive director Cheryl Jacques, and their twins, Tim and Tom.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson read children?s books, the Easter Bunny greeted children, and kids received a commemorative wooden Easter egg, a book and bookmark, candy, a poster and a civics booklet during the event on April 9.

?We were proud to join the many diverse families attending the White House Egg Roll this year,? said Chrisler. ?For the second year in a row, gay and lesbian-headed families participated in a great American tradition.?

Last year, Family Pride accused the administration of staggering admissions to keep President Bush and his wife Laura from having to see the rainbow lei-clad supporters. This year, however, there was no mention of the group in questions asked at White House briefings, and things went smoothly.

?Despite the cold weather and freezing temperatures, gay and lesbian families came and made their presence known, making our existence real to millions of Americans,? Chrisler noted.

Last year, World Net Daily?s Les Kinsolving asked then-White House spokesman Scott McClellan if, in the future, ?all orientations? would be allowed in the Easter Egg Roll, ?including those wearing arm bands proclaiming that pleasure is pain.?

The religious right website reporter?s questions was met with derisive laughter from the other members of the White House press corps.