Jarko De Witte van Leewen shares a parenting story in his latest edition of “Four!”

We are a gay family. Well, at least the Dads are. And we are a Christian family. I mean actively Christian: we attend church on Sundays, we teach our children to pray for our meals and before going to sleep, Jos is an elder in the church council and we are both members of the public relations committee of our church community. And boy, did our community know. ‘We have to get out of the closet’, was one of the first things we said in one of our first meetings. I mean, if you’re gay and you’re an active church community member, you usually have to explain one thing and another, at least in a rapidly secularizing country like The Netherlands, that is.

Be sure to check out my favorite column so far of Jarko De Witte van Leewen’s “Four” series called “Bill.” He dedicates this column “to all the brave people who fight for equal rights for GLBT people and couples, and who don’t give up the fight in times of hardship.”

Here is a excerpt:

“We were in our car, driving to the place where a video conference would link us to the family court of Camden County, Pennsylvania for the finalization hearing regarding the adoption of our son Wolf, when I got this SMS from Philip: ‘Yay, we did it! The Senate has passed the bill!’ Two simple sentences that brought silence to my heart, and a smile to my face. “The Senate has passed the bill, Jos,” I said to my husband. It was raining and he was focusing on the road.”

To read more: Four by Jarko De Witte van Leeuwen: “Bill”

Recently we asked for reader feedback on why they are against Prop 8 and for gay equality. For more information on this open call for participation and using YOUR voice: Why Are You Against Prop 8? Share Your Stories. Keep your submissions coming, here is Volume II!

We will be covering North Carolina tomorrow along with our friends at Q-Notes and Out In Asheville! We are proud to be teaming up with them for covering the Carolinas at: http://ncprop8protests.blogspot.com/
Here is the current listing of the protests nationwide tomorrow from the amazing people behind Join The Impact:

http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

We want YOUR reports and photos. Please send us photos and your first hand reports at newstips@outimpact.com – please put PROP 8 PROTEST – YOUR CITY in the subject line.
Thank you! Keep fighting for equality, let the world know that we have a voice. Keep sending us your submissions about why you are for equality and against Prop 8: Why Are You Against Prop 8? Share Your Stories.
Bambi Weavil

CEO/Publisher of Out Impact, Inc.

OutImpact.com – Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2008

Contact: Kati Heffield – (910)368-8380
Mary Eller – (512) 968-3446

Local gay, lesbian, straight citizens to protest passage of anti-gay constitutional amendments in Arizona, Florida, California

WILMINGTON — A group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and straight citizens will take to the streets of Wilmington to protest the passage of Proposition 8, California’s anti-gay marriage amendment, as well as other anti-gay ballot initiatives in Arkansas, Arizona and Florida.

Every day since Election Day, thousands have protested up and down streets in cities across California, including in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento. A national, grassroots coalition of LGBT activists have followed in their footsteps.

On Nov. 15, 1:30 p.m. EST/10:30 a.m. PST, in large cities and state capitals across the country, Pro-Equality supporters will raise public awareness of the need for LGBT equality in marriage and in other civil rights.

WHAT: Prop. 8 Protest

WHO: LGBT and straight citizens of Wilmington and surrounding areas.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008;1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: 2 Princess St. Federal Building (Water St. Between Princess and Market)

For more information contact:
Kati Heffield – (910) 368-8380
Mary Eller – (512) 968-3446

National Protest Site: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com

The fight for equality is not over for those of us in the LGBTQ community, even though Barack Obama is now president.

WE LOST IN CALIFORNIA WITH PROP 8.
Same sex marriage is now BANNED in Arizona.
Same sex marriage in Arkansas right to adoption, BANNED.
Same sex marriage is now BANNED in Florida.

How many losses do we need as a community for us to step up and fight? We have a man in the highest office in this country now who may actually listen to us….it’s time we unify in this very fractured community and create that impact. We must come together and not stop fighting until we are equal in this country. I’m ready to keep pushing, are you?

Thank you,
Bambi Weavil
CEO of Out Impact, Inc.

Jarko De Witte van Leeuwen is a contributing writer to Out Impact’s parenting section, in his monthly column, Four, sharing his experiences being a gay parent and advocate for international adoption rights for same sex couples. His new column, “Clearance” is currently posted, here is a excerpt:

“I have a big problem. I can’t get rid of things. Or better said, I can’t let go of objects that hold memories of wonderful or meaningful moments in my life. I just can’t help it. I grow emotionally attached to them. Tickets of concerts my husband and I went to, old school agendas, old address books that contain names of people from the past. Friends who are no longer friends, schoolmates that I lost contact with a long long time ago, addresses of places where relatives don’t live any longer. The extravagantly pricey downtown New York City parking tickets we needed when we went to the passport rush office to get Arwen’s first passport. Airport case labels of our travels. Dozens of framed pictures of country & western stars – Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, and many more – that decorated our home for our country & western themed wedding party seven years ago. It’s no use keeping them, but I just can’t throw them away. But I’m learning. I have to. Jos doesn’t put up with it any longer.”

To read more >>

“A father should not have to fight to see his own son, but I am glad to know that people are being made aware of this common struggle for fathers.”

- Joe Hogue, a successful producer in the music industry, discussing with us his fight to gain custody of his son, how he was punished by the legal system for being honest to his son about his sexuality and what you can do to help him and other gay families!