The Cheney family infighting over same-sex marriage appears to be getting worse.
After a very public falling out, Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, disclosed her dwindling support for sister Liz Cheney’s Senate bid in Wyoming.
Politico’s Jason Zengerle shared some details Wednesday of his email exchange with Mary, who reportedly declared, “I’m not supporting Liz’s candidacy.”
She added: “By supporting, I mean not working, not contributing, and not voting for (I’m registered in Virginia not Wyoming),” she wrote. “I am not saying I hope she loses to Enzi.”
Mary’s lukewarm endorsement of her once very close sibling deals just another blow to Liz’s struggling primary challenge against Republican Sen. Mike Enzi. A group supporting the staunch conservative Enzi, recently attacked Liz for not taking a harder stance against gay marriage.
The sibling spat came into light earlier in the week after Liz brushed off the marriage equality issue, saying that she and her married gay sister “just disagree” on the matter. That prompted sharp response from her sister on Facebook. “Liz – this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree, you’re just wrong – and on the wrong side of history,” Mary posted on her Facebook page.
Heather Poe, Mary’s wife, also commented on her sister-in-law’s stance: “Liz has been a guest in our home, has spent time and shared holidays with our children, and when Mary and I got married in 2012 – she didn’t hesitate to tell us how happy she was for us. To have her say she doesn’t support our right to marry is offensive to say the least.”
Making matters worse, Dick and his wife, Lynne Cheney, waded into the feud by picking sides with Liz. “This is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public,” said the Cheneys in a statement to NBC News. “Liz has always believed in the traditional definition of marriage. She has also always treated her sister and her sister’s family with love and respect, exactly as she should have done. Compassion is called for, even when there is disagreement about such a fundamental matter and Liz’s many kindnesses shouldn’t be used to distort her position.”
In 2009, former Vice President Cheney announced his support for marriage equality.
Yes, the holidays with Cheney’s house will probably be awkward this year.
Sarah Muller