US: Family suing Florida for same-sex marriage to attend White House Easter Egg Roll

A lesbian family who are suing the state of Florida will today attend the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll, hosted by the Obamas.

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a 136-year-old Presidential tradition, in which families with children are attend festivities on the White House lawn.

Melanie and Vanessa Alenier, who will attend today’s event with their son, are part of a case challenging Florida’s
ban on same-sex marriage.

They filed alongside five other same-sex couples as part of Equality Florida’s lawsuit in January at Miami-Dade Circuit Court.

Vanessa said at the time: “We want our son to understand that his family is secure and just as respected as any other family part of our community here in Florida”.

According to Equality Florida, Vanessa is the the national sales manager at an energy products company, and Melanie is an insurance agent. They have a 5-year-old son together.

Obama courted controversy with a similar selection last week, when he invited Gene Robinson, the American Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, to deliver closing prayers at an Easter event with over 150 religious leaders.

Next month, the White House will host a ceremony to launch a commemorate stamp in memory of assassinated gay rights hero Harvey Milk.

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