The editorial department does its best to keep editorial content and advertising separate. This division between sales and editorial is perhaps the most challenging but important aspect of the newspaper business. Yet, this week, we’re going to give some play to an advertiser. No, not because they purchased an ad, but because the ad is news in itself.

Discussed in detail in this week’s Father’s Day feature, “Footpaths to fatherhood,” Walden Family Services has kicked off an ad campaign – with funding from San Diego LGBT Pride through the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation – courting the GLBT community. Ads will appear in local GLBT media, like the Gay & Lesbian Times, to locate quality homes for children with special needs.

This is significant. While states like Florida, for example, prohibit gay and lesbian foster families from adopting, Walden Family Services is actually reaching out to our community. And unlike Florida, California’s AB 458, the Foster Care Non-Discrimination Act, prohibits bias in the foster care system based on sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status and other factors.

Traditionally, lesbians have had fewer roadblocks to starting a family, but as society changes and organizations like Walden Family Services acknowledge that lesbians and gay men make excellent parents, more and more men are opting to foster and adopt. This week’s feature walks you through the process and talks to fathers who’ve already taken the plunge. Take a look. Who knows? Maybe this Father’s Day you’ll make the decision to become a father.