Gay issue personal for Cheney

NEW YORK – As Vice President Dick Cheney stepped onto the podium in Madison Square Garden, the eyes of some were trained not on the stage but the audience, searching for a glimpse of his daughter Mary.

And there she was, in the family’s box, sitting next to her partner in their first prominent public appearance as a lesbian couple.

The vice president, in his speech accepting renomination Wednesday night, did not mentioned Mary or her older sister, Elizabeth, choosing instead to feature his four grandchildren. At the end of the vice president’s remarks, he was joined onstage by Elizabeth and the grandchildren, while Mary and Heather Poe applauded from their seats.

Their prominence in the first row of the box amounted to a silent resistance against religious conservatives, who have made Mary Cheney’s sexual orientation an issue.

Her decision not to slink from the controversy raised few hackles in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

“Sometimes people think we’re ogres. But we don’t care about that stuff,” said Judy Levine, an Indiana delegate.

Greg Curtis, a delegate from Salt Lake City, said that while he does not approve of homosexuality or gay marriage, he respects the rights of others to make their own choices.

“If I were vice president and she were my daughter, I’d want her sitting by my side too,” Curtis said.

Mary Cheney, 35, is her father’s top campaign aide and closest confidante. Her sexual orientation was forced back into the news last week when her father, on a campaign stop in Davenport, Iowa, was asked about same-sex marriage.

“Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it’s an issue that our family is very familiar with,” Cheney replied. “My general view is that freedom means freedom for everyone. People … ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to.”

Cheney went on to stake out a different position from President Bush, who has called for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The vice president said he thought the issue should be left to the states to decide.

Associated Press

Mary Cheney (left), daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, sits with her partner, Heather Poe, in Madison Square Garden during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.