Story Link: http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=13070276
Jenny Nowatzke
OMAHA (KPTM) It's a tradition that's spanned generations. But for one Omaha family, that tradition came to an sudden halt last weekend.
Jeff and Heidi Wilke wanted to submit their daughter's engagement announcement to the Omaha World Herald – only to find out it's not allowed – simply because their daughter is gay.
It all started with Kristy Wilke's engagement photo. Living in Minneapolis, she wanted to share the news of her engagement with friends and family back in Omaha.
After submitting the announcement to the paper Kristy's great, great, great, great grandfather founded in 1885, her father received disappointing news.
"At that point, my dad who was following up on the issue was told by the publisher that as a policy they don't print same gender wedding or engagement announcements," said Kristy.
"If a pig would have flown by me then, I couldn't have been more surprised. I felt I was punched in the stomach," said Jeff Wilke.
Forced to tell his daughter, Jeff was overwhelmed with emotion.
"I hung up the phone in disbelief – cried about it. For the first time, I felt discrimination."
Hoping to change the publisher's minds, Kristy's family started a page on Facebook, and within three days gained over 2,200 members.
"It's amazing to feel the support, and at the same time hear stories on the page with couples who have been denied this right for years," said Kristy.
Facing criticism, the World Herald posted a comment on their Facebook page saying, "public opinion is split sharply. Gay marriage is illegal in most states including Nebraska."
"We were so naïve to think the World Herald would be excited about their founder's [great, great, great, great granddaughter] being openly gay and engaged," said Jeff.
Even so, Kristy's family doesn't wish harm on the paper.
"We know we can create change without destroying an organization. This isn't about taking the World Herald down. Just a change in policy. 2,000 people on Facebook alone – we can create this change," said Kristy.
Kristy and her fiancé Jessica are slated to be married next summer in Minnesota.
As of four o'clock Monday afternoon, the Omaha World Herald has restructured their policy.
They issued a statement in the paper saying quote,
"Celebrations announcements regarding legal weddings, engagements for legal weddings, or anniversaries of a legal marriage will be welcomed, regardless of the genders of the couple.
We will not run announcements regarding commitment ceremonies, partnerships and other non–marriage unions, again regardless of gender.
Five states and the District of Columbia have legalized same–sex marriages, including Iowa.
We will publish Celebrations announcements of marriages from those states."
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