Mary Cheney: Dick Cheney’s Daughter Marries Long-Time Partner Heather Poe

Mary Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, married her long-time partner Heather Poe in Washington D.C. on Friday.

ABC News reports that the former vice president and his wife stated:

“Our daughter Mary and her long time partner, Heather Poe, were married today in Washington, DC. Mary and Heather have been in a committed relationship for many years, and we are delighted that they were able to take advantage of the opportunity to have that relationship recognized.”

Dick Cheney added:

“Mary and Heather and their children are very important and much loved members of our family and we wish them every happiness.”

Mary Cheney and Heather Poe have two children together, a son born in 2007 and a daughter in 2009. The two have been together for years, and have been very open about their relationship, according to The Daily Caller. Throughout her father’s political career, Mary and her family continued to state that her sexual orientation was in no way a political ploy and was not to be used as a political issue.

In 2007, after the birth of her son, Cheney stated:

“This is a baby. This is a blessing from God. It is not a political statement. It is not a prop to be used in a debate by people on either side of an issue. It is my child.”

The Daily Caller reports that Jimmy LaSalvia of the conservative group GOProud, celebrated the new of Cheney and Poe’s union, saying that:

“Simply by living their lives openly, honestly, and as authentic conservatives, they have done more to change hearts and minds in this country than any gay advocacy group. This is one more way that they are demonstrating that gay Americans are just like everyone else. Good for them.”

Mary Cheney and her partner Heather Poe live together with their children in Virginia, which does not recognize the marriage.