Dick Cheney on daughters’ public gay dispute: I’m ‘pained’

Former Vice President Dick Cheney says he and his wife are naturally upset their two daughters are disputing over their conflicting views of gay marriage, but that what perhaps hurts more is they’ve taken a years-long, behind-the-scenes argument and brought it into the public arena.

“This is an issue we have dealt with privately for many years, and we are pained to see it become public,” read a statement distributed by Mr. Cheney and his wife, Lynne, The New York Post reported.

Liz Cheney, who’s seeking the U.S. Senate seat in Wyoming, said on “Fox News Sunday” that she still supports the “traditional definition” of marriage, and said states should be allowed to decide — rather than the federal government — if gay marriage is legal or not.

Her sister, Mary Cheney, who is married to her long-time female partner, Heather Poe, responded on Facebook: “You’re just wrong.” Mary Cheney also decried the fact that her sister seemed to support her gay wedding, yet went on the public stage to claim the opposite — that she was against same-sex marriage.

The elder Cheney couple continued in their statement, The Post reported: “Since it has [become public], one thing should be clear. 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.”