Belgian gay couple is waiting for their own son.

*READ THE UPDATE BELOW!*

Sign the petition!: http://bit.ly/hE7DAO

Belgian gay couple Peter and Laurent have a son, Samuel -age 2,5- who is trapped in an Ukranian orphanage. Laurent is Samuels biological father. The little boy was conceived through insemination with a Ukranian surrogate mother. "Because adoption in Belgium is so hard for gay couples, we chose a surrogate mother in Ukraine, where it's legal", says the couple. But because Belgium has no law considering surrogate mothers, the two dads are unable to bring their own child home.

People do not choose to be gay, should they therefore ignore their deep desires to mary, have their own children, create their own family?!

Let's hope this finds a solution, and fast!
So that Samuel can get home to his loving family!

(source: Koppen (één - Flemish TV) January 27, 2011 presented by Wim De Vilder)

As of tomorrow (February 1, 2011), Samuel is no longer 'trapped' in the orphanage, and Peter and Laurent will apply for a tourist visa at the local Belgian consulate. Hopefully it works, here's their email to help them with the application: consulbelg@org.lviv.net

Sadly, their experience taught them that it probably will not succeed, but they will try all possible options. For two years people adviced them not to provoke politics and justice, to let them find a 'peaceful way' to solve this, but you can see where that left them..

This is what you can send to consulbelg@org.lviv.net
subject: My concerns for Samuel Ghilain.

Dear Sir,

I am highly concerned for Samuel, the son of Laurent Ghilain. I am deeply saddened and shocked that a child who has a loving family in Belgium is stuck in an Ukrainian orphanage because of administrative and legal ambiguities. I believe this is a violation of the child's rights and an inhumane situation. I would like to do an appeal on your moral consciousness to find a quick and long-lasting solution for Samuel so that he can go home and be with his loving fathers.

Sincerely,

***UPDATE!***
it was too good to be true..
it seemed such good news from Laurent (February 15th 2010):
"The Belgian judge said YES, we just got the decision. The judge recognizes after 2 years of waiting the 'lineage' (bond between father and son). Prosecutors still have 1,5 month as from 28/02 to appeal. We will demand a Belgian passport for Samuel at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs this week, and we cross our fingers that the response is immediate and that we do not hear of an appeal. If all goes well, it should go fast... let's hope..."

BUT, Peter just messaged us: "Dear all, we're back to "start", the ministery doesn't agree with the judge's decision"
meaning the prosecutor will appeal, and Samuel still can't get a passport and come to his family.. sad sad thing!

BUT, *** GREAT NEWS TODAY! ***
Press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium (February 18th 2011)

Following the recent ruling by the Court in Brussels on Samuel Ghilain - who currently resides in Ukraine - Foreign Affairs will comply with the court order to deliver a passport to the child.

it seems the battle for Laurent and Peter to get their son home is finally at it's end!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• gay
• adoption
• surrogate
• regulation
• child
• children
• fathers

[roelvanacker]

*** GREAT NEWS TODAY! ***

Press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium (February 18th 2011)

Following the recent ruling by the Court in Brussels on Samuel Ghilain - who currently resides in Ukraine - Foreign Affairs will comply with the court order to deliver a passport to the child.

it seems the battle for Laurent and Peter to get their son home is finally at it's end!

-roel

[Holebis]

@roelvanacker Hi Roel, such great news !!!

I hope it's not another false positive message. Do buy De Standaard of yesterday + today. (!!!)

With reactions on this + "anonymous spermdonation and surrogacy" by a gay Flemish professor, + a lady for childrights today). Twice 1 whole page.

I'd like 2 ask to upload (I can't) if possible the news of a couple of days ago (the part bout Samuel

of course). It's still at deredactie dt be

Gay♥ + greetzz van Steven van het kanaal Holebis ♥♂♂,♀♀♥

[roelvanacker]

@Holebis the clip from VRT news is posted in reply to this video (GOOD news for Samuel, see below)

-roel

[XlilyXsillyXcat]

i cried :'(

[JBbookfreak]

This is heartbreaking.

[DarkPhoenixRising]

So sad. :(

[KIMODZKO]

That's nice story..

Hope the consul in Brussels will issue visa for me a visit a friend visum.. I am from PHILIPPINES..Pray for me..

[AlejGaGa]

Support!!!!!!!!

Will be a lovely family!!!!!

[TheManLord]

really congrats.

they must be good fathers.

[lordart9]

Congratulations to them! They finally got their son back! :)

[ultraconservative]

@roelvanacker Why is the prosecutor appealing in the first place?

[goodgirlkay]

I just read that the Belgium Embassy has finally granted Samuel a passport after Laurent and Peter won their latest appeal....I hope this is true! I have been praying for the whole family...It seems as if they will finally have their son home...Thank God!

[gregouss]

I wish that you get Samuel back home and get to see your child grow. We will follow your case, sign petitions, demonstrate if needed (i'm in Barcelona) or do whatever you need to help. Good luck and I hope the latest news of 18th is the light at the end of the tunnel. Gregory.