American Adoptees Denied Civil Rights to Birth Certificate
Due to archaic laws that are a legacy of cultural shame stigmatizing infertility, sex, unwed mothers, and adoption, over 90% of all American adoptees will face a life of discrimination unless current laws are changed.
Wanting to end discrimination , the Adoptee Rights Coalition; http://www.adopteerights.net ; adopted persons, their families and friends will be gathering in San Antonio, Texas, during the Annual Summit of National Conference of State Legislators. The fourth annual demonstration for the equal rights of adopted persons in the United States includes a public rally and march.
Less Than 5% of American Adoptees Have Free Adoption Records
In the United States only six states (Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire and Oregon) allow adopted persons unfettered access to their original birth certificates. In 2011, Rhode Island joined the growing number of states unsealing original birth certificates belonging to adoptees. There are still 43 American states not allowing adopted persons their birth certificates because of circumstances beyond their control. The participants of the Adoptee Rights Demonstration believe that all people in the United States should be treated equally; to do otherwise is discrimination. Adoptee Rights volunteers help educate the state representatives about the need to introduce legislation that will allow adopted persons in the United States equal access to their original birth certificates.
Marching to Restore The Civil Rights of Adoptees
On August 8 at 10:30 am, The Adoptee Rights Demonstration will march from the walls of the Alamo to the Annual Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures being held at the at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (200 East Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205) Members and volunteers of the Adoptee Rights Coalition will also be exhibiting at the NCSL Legislative Summit. Adult adoptees from around the world will be joined by the mothers who relinquished them, plus various family and supporters asking for one simple act; change the laws so they can be treated equally.
To learn more about the Adoptee Rights Demonstration, adoption legislation and what you can do to support adoptee rights contact The Adoptee Rights Coalition at adopteerightscoalition@gmail.com http://adopteerightscoalition.blogspot.com Also, become a friend on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/AdopteeRightsDemonstration
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In Texas adoptees can get a copy of their original birth certificate if they are at least 18 yrs old, submit govt ID, and know the names of each parent listed on the original birth certificate. That is where the problem lies. In closed or even semi-closed adoptions, the adoptive parents usually don’t know the names of the birth parents. It is still better than some states have though. Here’s the link – http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/reqproc/faq/adoption.shtm
@ Elizabeth- That means nothing. That is still discrimination, and quite ridiculous. Most adoptees don’t know the names of their first parents.
Adoptees should have the right to their own personal information, just as non-adopted citizens do.
yay Claud, Claud is awesome because she is so awesome. Can’t wait to see you! <3
Even The Child Welfare League of America strongly supports legislation restoring the right of adult adoptees to their original birth certificates!
Exceptional post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Kudos!
Look on the “adoptee Rights” tab.. thats where the information is!