Washington- Vice President Cheney, the father of a lesbian, infuriated social conservatives yesterday by making clear he’s no fan of a national gay marriage ban.

“That’s appropriately a matter for the states to decide,” Cheney told a town hall meeting in Davenport, Iowa. “That’s how it ought to best be handled.”

“But the President makes basic policy for the administration,” he added. “And he’s made it clear that he does in fact support a constitutional amendment.”

Cheney also said, “Freedom means freedom for everyone. People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want.” He noted that his daughter, Mary Cheney, is a lesbian who is working to get the Republican ticket reelected.

Activists for and against President Bush’s proposal to ban gay marriage were shocked by Cheney’s frank talk.

The veep also said the ban lacks the votes to pass and suggested the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which recognizes heterosexual marriage for purposes of federal law, could help resolve the gay marriage issue.

The pro-amendment Family Research Council said “protection of our values is made more difficult when mixed messages emanate from the White House.”

Gay activist John Aravosis, who co-founded the “Dear Mary” Web site that calls on Mary Cheney to speak out on gay rights, praised the veep. “Kudos to Cheney because he finally stood up for his daughter,” Aravosis said. “The religious right is going to be furious.”