Friday, June 13, 2008

Happy Friday: Father's Day Edition

I had to- they're bears!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

And if you're not doing anything in the next ten minutes you MUST read MSNBC's Article on gay adoption entitled, "When Father's Day is a Double Celebration."
Meet the Brothers Z: 4-year-old twins Zach and Zayn, and their younger sibling Zeth, fast approaching 3. In many ways, they are typical denizens of the hilly suburban neighborhood where they have lived most of their lives. They spend their days in preschool while their parents both work in the telecom industry. The family owns an SUV and a pickup. They shop at Costco and go to church on Sundays. They work in the yard. They watch Disney movies on their big-screen TV.

But Father’s Day will be a double celebration at their house because the brothers have two daddies — Geoffery and Devin, foster parents for the boys for three years before adopting them.

“All we’re trying to do is raise three healthy boys to be participants in society,” said Geoffery, Devin’s partner for a decade.

That’s a modest description for what the county judge who finalized the adoption in December called an act of heroism. The boys, taken from substance-abusing and incarcerated biological parents, faced long odds against growing up together. Given their treatment by the birth parents, there were far more questions than answers about physical and emotional issues that might arise for them down the road.

"You are heroes in our community," Judge Mary Yu said, beaming from the bench while the boys frolicked about the courtroom, the whole family decked out in red-and-white Mickey Mouse ski sweaters. “Who’s going to assume the burden of taking care of children like this, children who possibly have been neglected or set aside in some way? … People like you, who step up. Thank you.”

Devin and Geoffery, both 44, can celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday secure in the knowledge that their ranks are growing. Gay, lesbian and bisexual people across the nation are pushing for parental rights and increasingly are seen as a valuable resource by the child welfare system in dealing with the tens of thousands of American children who need foster and adoptive homes. And while they are nagged by recurring attempts by political and religious interests to rally followers around anti-gay issues, they are generally too busy juggling juice boxes and car seats to notice.

Aww, tear!

9 comments:

RVAguy said...

Great article, we need more stories like that.

Anonymous said...

I hope they're inspired to remake "My Two Dads." I'd totally tune in as a show of solidarity. Unless it's up against Project Runway or Shot at Love or American Idol.

Greg said...

Hooray for Geoffrey and Devin! And I like the judge who saw the merits of the kids having parents regardless of sexual orientation. We need more judges like her.

Kevin Roddy said...

Hey Eric--

Let me add thanks to making this type of news available on your blog.

We need more positive news like this. I love June - pride month seems to bring stories like this out.

If I were 20 years younger, would I do what these guys did - probably - I wouldn't go and ty to have kids of my own, because I feel homosexuality is a natural deterrent to overpopulation, but I would take abused kids and give them a good home.

Anonymous said...

inspiring.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Kevin........THIS is stuff that ought to be on NATIONAL News...... really......... The new kids already KNOW this stuff....their parents are the ones fighting it.

Behr said...

Eric

Thanks so much for highlighting our family. Everyone's comments are so appreciated. Hope everyone has a great Sunday and to all the Fathers out there, Happy Fathers Day!

Geoffery and Devin

Anonymous said...

That beautiful photos… enchant to me… I must spend more times this way. Good taste and eroticism to skin flower.

ruraljuror said...

Aw, tear indeed.

Great story.