A new social and support group in Auckland for gay men who are also fathers will begin in February 2008. "There are an increasing number of men coming out of long term marriages or thinking of coming out of marriages that have children and need advice and support" says Glenn Batten, organiser of the new group. "Many men got married just before law reform, as it was the thing to do then, have had children and now the children are grown or growing, are looking at coming out as gay men for the first time in their lives," he explains. "Coming out of the closet is a daunting thing at the best of times, but coming out with the added complication of a wife and children can make things even more difficult." Many men are finding that with changing societal attitudes and law reform, that it is time to live their real lives as gay men. The new group will give support and advice and allow men who have gone through or are going through the same issues to talk to others. LGBT telephone counselling service OUTLine has had increasing numbers of calls from men and their wives seeking advice, so the organisation helped set up the new dads' group. "The group will meet monthly at OUTLine NZ's rooms in Anzac Avenue and have regular support and social meetings," says Batten. "It will be a relaxed group and hopefully give lots of support and strengthen men in this situation." Anyone wishing to join the new group can contact Glenn via OUTLine NZ on 09 309 3268.