Marlon Bundo, Mike Pence’s family’s pet rabbit and gay rights icon, has died.
His death was shared over the weekend on social media by Charlotte Pence Bond, the former vice president’s daughter, who wrote that the rabbit had been a gift from God “right when we needed you most.”
“Somehow, you taught me how to always try to be kind first and never stop making an effort to get along,” she wrote. “We had some wild times together and I’m forever grateful. Rest in sweet peace, little bunny. We love you so.”
The second family’s famous pet, who was initially adopted for a film project by Pence Bond, achieved global stardom in 2018 as an unlikely voice of support of LGBTQ rights.
Bundo was featured in “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo,” a picture book by Jill Twiss and illustrated by EG Keller about a gay bunny living with his non-gay grandpa Mike Pence — a staunch conservative and out-and-proud evangelical Christian with a long track record on opposing LGBTQ rights.
The book, presented by late-night TV host John Oliver, described the rabbit as a “very special boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny.”
Proceeds from its sales were donated to The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ and questioning youth, and AIDS United.
“With its message of tolerance and advocacy, this charming children’s book explores issues of same-sex marriage and democracy,” according to its publisher. “Sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated, this book is dedicated to every bunny who has ever felt different.”
The satirical book — which became an instant Amazon bestseller and also spent three weeks on the New York Times Children’s Picture Books Bestsellers List — was the second most banned book in 2018, according to a list compiled by the American Library Association.
Another children’s book, “Marlon Bundo’s A Day in the Life of the Vice President,” written by Pence Bond and illustrated by her mother, Karen Pence, also came out that same year.
In April 2019, the famous rabbit was featured in a third book, “Marlon Bundo’s Day in the Nation’s Capital,” also written and illustrated by the Pences.
