Gay Families on the White House Lawn

WASHINGTON -- About 100 gay and lesbian couples and their children braved steady rainfall Monday to take part in the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn.

"It really is about showing the country that gay and lesbian families are part of the American fabric and that we participate in American traditions," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Pride Coalition, which advocates for LGBT parents and their families.

The gay and lesbian families were wearing rainbow-colored leis and said they wanted to give their children an opportunity to have fun while making a political statement that they should be welcome at such an event.

"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.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush kicked off this year's egg roll before a cheering crowd.