March 5, 2008

In 2005 Frank undertook what he has experienced as his greatest challenge yet: giving new impetus to gay emancipation. Politicians asked the question, "Is there yet entirely no problem with homosexuality?" Media do not write on the subject because journalists find the topic "homosexuality in society" to be uninteresting. The society as a whole did not stop with homosexuals and meanwhile, within the homosexual community itself, discontent and feelings of insecurity grew.

On March 5, 2008, everything came together for Frank.

Agreements among leaders. That day, Minister Plasterk concluded contracts with large municipalities in which it was agreed that violence against gays will be prosecuted at the local level and social acceptance will be achieved. Or as Frank put it, working in the capillaries of the society.

Gay bill "Just be gay." The same evening, the gay bill was established in the Lower House by Minister Plasterk. This bill is built upon the policy vision that the Dutch gay movement has formulated under the leadership of Frank. The policy vision builds upon the passages in the coalition concerning social acceptance, about which Frank has negotiated with the government formateurs and the third phase that Frank launched in January 2006.

Princess Maxima. For the first time in history, someone from the Royal House, in the person of Princess Maxima, was present at a meeting where homosexuality in society was the central concern. Out of this an important message was issued: "We completely belong."

After the coalition, Frank prepared his balance sheet after March 5, 2008 for a Minister of gay policy instead of Assistant Secretary, additional spending for gay emancipation, enhanced security by the Attorney General, Harm Brouwer, and structural subsidies for COC Netherlands.

A new period dawned -- a period with a changing role and duty for the COC, a period in which other people could take over at the helm as he had planned. A few months later, in the presence of Minister Plasterk, he handed over the chairmanship to his successor Wouter Neerings.