John McCain's Wife In Pro-Gay Marriage Ad

The wife of US President Barack Obama's 2008 election rival John McCain has posed for a controversial advertisement endorsing gay marriage.

Cindy McCain backing gay rights group NOH8

Cindy McCain, 55, whose Republican senator husband opposes same-sex weddings, appears with silver duct tape across her mouth and "NOH8" written on one cheek.
The picture refers to gay rights group NOH8's campaign against Proposition Eight - a ballot measure that was passed in 2008 banning gay marriages in California.
Mr McCain's office said in a statement that the Arizona senator respects the views of members of his family but remains opposed to same-sex unions.

Obama rival Senator McCain

"Senator McCain believes the sanctity of marriage is only defined as between one man and one woman," the statement said.
But the McCains' daughter Meghan, who has been outspoken in her support for gay rights, has endorsed NOH8 too.
She also appears with silver duct tape across her mouth and "NOH8" on a cheek in a photo on her Twitter site.
NOH8's website praised Mrs McCain's willingness to publicly endorse a cause that is unpopular within the Republican Party.

Meghan endorses gay marriage

"The McCains are one of the most well-known Republican families in recent history, and for Mrs McCain to have reached out to us to offer her support truly means a lot," the website said.
Meghan said in a Twitter message linked to her blog: "I couldn't be more proud of my mother for posing for the NOH8 campaign. I think more Republicans need to start taking a stand for equality."
Mr McCain backed an Arizona ballot measure, also passed in 2008, that defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
The senator's re-election campaign said his former presidential running mate, ex-Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, will come to Arizona to campaign for him in March.
Mrs Palin has been a vocal opponent of gay marriage.