Photos: More Than 100 Gay Families Attend White House Egg Roll

I tend to steer clear of posting information about myself on my blog (well, other than my political opinions), but this is a very personal issue for me. My gay aunt has a son whom she adores and I have many gay friends who can't wait to adopt and give a child a loving home.

The White House had such an amazing opportunity to stand in solidarity with gay families who had the courage to walk with their children past homophobic protesters. Instead, Mr. and Mrs. Bush decided to leave today's festivities before "the gays" arrived:

But even without a photo op Family Pride which rallied gay and lesbian families to take part in the event declared victory.

Television cameras focused on families with rainbow leis around their necks as they waited to enter the grounds.

"The visibility of LGBT families has been exceptional," said Family Pride spokesperson Cathy Renna. "It puts a face on gay families for the American public."

"We just wanted to come out to be visible and present and to let people see we are families, too," said Alisa Surkis, 42, of Brooklyn, N.Y., as 3-year-old-daughter Ella clamored for her partner, Colleen Gillespie, to take her over to see the Easter Bunny.

Same-sex couples and their children before entering the Easter egg roll on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual 2006 White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington, April 17, 2006. The couples are wearing rainbow leis to indicate their support of same-sex union. (REUTERS/Larry Downing)

Jennifer Chrisler, left, and her partner Cheryl Jacques, right, cheer as their children take part in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 17, 2006, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington. Same sex couples with children who say they want more visibility for their families attended Monday's Easter Egg Roll wearing colorful leis around their necks. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Brian Lahmanh, of Philadephia, Penn., and his four year-old daughter Helen Lahmanh-Metcalfe wait in a tent outside the White House grounds to participate in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 17, 2006 in Washington. Same sex couples who say they want more visibility for their families attended Monday's Easter Egg Roll with their children wearing rainbow leis around their neck. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Same-sex couple Christina Burke (L) and Victoria Burke (R), both from Salisbury, Maryland, pose with Mrs. Bunny and their daughter, Phobe (6 months old), on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual 2006 White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington, April 17, 2006. The Burke's are wearing a rainbow lei to indicate their support of same sex union. (REUTERS/Larry Downing)

Christina Burke and her daughter, Phobe (6 months-old), both from Salisbury, Maryland, participate in the easter egg roll on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual 2006 White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington, April 17, 2006. Burke is wearing a rainbow lei to indicate her support of same-sex union. (REUTERS/Larry Downing)

Dominic Russoli, left, and his partner Rolf Preisendorfer, right, along with their son Cyrus Preisendorfer take part in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 17, 2006, on the South Lawn at the White House. The gay and lesbian couples, who wore rainbow-colored leis, said they wanted to give their children an opportunity to have fun while making a political statement that they should be welcome. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)