Mary Cheney, the openly gay daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has married her long-time partner Heather Poe, The Daily Caller has learned.
Cheney spokeswoman Kara Ahern confirmed to TheDC that the couple married Friday morning in Washington, D.C.
In a statement provided to TheDC, both the former vice president and his wife, Lynne, said they are “delighted” the couple could have their “relationship recognized.”
“Our daughter Mary and her long time partner, Heather Poe, were married today in Washington, DC,” the Cheneys said.
Poe and Mary Cheney have two children: Cheney gave birth to a son in 2007, and a daughter in 2009. They live together in Virginia.
“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,” the Cheneys said. “Mary and Heather and their children are very important and much loved members of our family and we wish them every happiness.”
“We are all so happy for Heather and Mary and their beautiful kids,” friend and former Cheney adviser Mary Matalin told TheDC. “Happy and moved by the blessing of their commitment and strength.”
Mary Cheney’s sexual orientation has long been known, but she and her family said that it should not be used as political issue throughout her father’s political career. In 2006 Cheney released an autobiography, “Now It’s My Turn.”
“This is a baby,” Mary Cheney said in 2007 about her son. “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.”
Jimmy LaSalvia of the conservative GOProud organization celebrated the news on Friday, telling TheDC, “Mary and Heather have had a tremendous impact on the way America views gay people.”
“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,” he said. “This is one more way that they are demonstrating that gay Americans are just like everyone else. Good for them.”
