Adoptee Rights Coalition

Companion bills will restore birth certificate access to Ohio born adoptees

2013-05-08T17:45:00.004-04:00

YORK, PA--May 08, 2013--Companion bills currently available for consideration by the Ohio House and Senate, if passed, would result in thousands of adult adoptees realizing equal treatment under law when it comes to their birth certificates. Introduced by Senators Beagle and Burke and Representatives Pelanda and Antonio, SB 23 and HB 61 would ensure that every adopted person born in Ohio has the same access to their original birth certificate that those who are not adopted enjoy.

"The Adoptee Rights Coalition supports legislation that upholds the dignity of adopted people" says Amanda Woolston, Vice President and Director of Outreach of the Adoptee Rights Coalition (ARC). "Ohio SB 23 and HB 61 accomplish this by giving Ohio-born adult adoptees the same access to their original birth certificate than non-adopted adults born in the state. The ARC fully supports these bills."

When a child is adopted in the state of Ohio, the adoptee's original, factual birth certificate is altered--or amended--to make it appear as though the adoptive parents actually gave birth to the adoptee. There is no indication on the amended birth certificate that an adoption even took place. The original, factual birth certificate is sealed away and not legally recognized. Currently, Ohio-born adult adoptees (age 18+) are able to access their original birth certificate if they were born prior to January 1, 1964 or after September 18, 1996. Adoptees born within the 32-year time gap face institutional barriers to access their records by being required to petition the courts and participate in a passive mutual consent process.

Ohio SB 23 and HB 61 would grant Ohio-born adult adoptees born between January 1, 1964 and September 18, 1996 the same access to their original birth certificates afforded to those who are not adopted. This right is already recognized for Ohio-born adopted persons whose births took place prior to January 1, 1964 and after September 18, 1996. SB 23 and HB 61 allow adult adoptees previously discriminated against to request a copy of their original birth certificate as all other adults born in the state. It also gives original parents the option of filing a non-legally binding contact preference form which will inform the adopted person of their birth parent's boundaries and preferences regarding contact.

The Adoptee Rights Coalition fully supports SB 26 and HB 61 along with the efforts of Senators Beagle and Burke and Representatives Pelanda and Antonio. The Adoptee Rights Coalition is a national, grassroots group of adoptees, original parents and adoptive parents that supports legislation giving all adopted adults unconditional restored access to their own birth certificates.

For more information on the Adoptee Rights Coalitions, its participation in the National Conference of State Legislatures and birth certificate access in other states, visit www.adopteerightscoalition.com

Press Contact:

Julie Stromberg
Adoptee Rights Coalition
Julie@adopteerightscoalition.com
717-819-1831

2013 Atlanta Registration Form

2013-05-07T23:29:00.000-04:00

IT'S TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE 2103 ADOPTEE RIGHTS DEMONSTRATION!

Keep checking our website and our Facebook page for more information about the annual demonstration in Atlanta.

Our sign making party will be held Sunday, August 11, and the actual demonstration will be held Monday, August 12. We will post details about those events as we get closer to August.

Please click the "Start Survey" button to register. See you in Atlanta!

Adoptee Rights Coalition Statement on Search, Reunion, and Social Media Trends

2013-04-26T13:25:00.000-04:00

As U.S. adoption culture shifts to be more accepting and understanding of searching adoptees, the faces of those looking for lost family connections, are appearing in greater magnitude on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. This recent movement in the adoption community puts a very public face on the issue of search of reunion. We see the smiling faces of human beings trying to expand their social connections and family relationships, and our hearts are with them.

The recent social media trend involving adoptees posting pictures of themselves holding signs that contain their agency narrative has brought increased media attention to search issues. The media has always been fascinated by the mysteries that fuel the searches of many adoptees. Social media has provided a new angle for these stories to be reported on in news and other popular outlets. Journalists attempting to connect the individual issue of search and reunion to a broader policy context have turned to the Adoptee Rights Coalition (ARC) for answers. Often times their articles will link to us, quote our board member's personal blogs, and display our logo without directly soliciting our opinion at all.

In an attempt to clarify this association of our organization and the adoptee rights movement, to search and reunion, ARC hopes to make a clear stance on this issue. As individuals, many of us support search and reunion. All of our board members have been through the search and reunion process. However, it is with this first-hand experience in both search and adoptee rights that we maintain that both causes as separate. While there may be some of the issues between the two movements might intersect, this is not cause to see them as one and the same.

Adoptee rights as defined by ARC is the restoring to all adult adoptees the same legal right to our factual birth certificates that is already afforded to all non-adopted adult citizens. Adoptee rights is about equal rights under law. What an adult adoptee may do, or not do, with the information contained on his or her original birth certificate (OBC) is a private, personal matter that does not need to involve state governments or the general public. Adult adoptees are the only class of people who are routinely denied the legal right to access their accurate birth certificates--simply because we were adopted as children. This means that we, as a class of adult citizens, are treated differently under law to all non-adopted adult citizens. Correcting this legal inequity is the core of ARC's mission and purpose. Personal decisions regarding search are a completely separate issue from restoring equal rights under law to adult adoptees regarding their own birth certificates. One is a legal matter dealing with discrimination and one is a matter of personal choice.

ARC believes that all adult adoptee citizens should be treated equally under law to non-adopted adult citizens. Search and/or reunion has nothing to do with this belief. And so we consider the issues separate and decline to comment as an organization on search and reunion matters.

One of the most concerning byproducts of the conflation of the two issues is the exclusion of diversity. Adoptee rights is not an issue that exclusively impacts individuals adopted at birth through private adoptions--which exclusive focus on the mystery of one's original family implies about this issue. Unequal access to original birth certificates impacts a number of groups.

Atlanta Hotel information

2013-04-19T11:13:00.000-04:00

The official hotel for The 2013 Adoptee Rights Demonstration is Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta-Airport.

We have 100 rooms reserved for the evenings of August 10, 11 and 12. Price per night is $92.00

Here is the link to make your reservations.

We will be posting more information about the sign making party and the actual demonstration in the weeks to come. We expect this year to be even bigger than last, so make your reservations as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing everyone in Atlanta this year for The 2013 Adoptee Rights Demonstration. Your hard work is paying off, and more states are changing to end the discrimination of adult adoptees by passing clean OBC legislation.

Thank you, and we will see you in Atlanta!

*Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta-Airport
1325 Virginia Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30344
Phone: 1-843-760-5839 / 1-888-233-9527

Adoptee Rights Coalition on the Kojo Nnamdi Show

2013-01-30T23:07:00.001-05:00

Adoptee Rights will get an incredible spotlight tomorrow as Amanda Woolston, of the Adoptee Rights Coalition will appear on the show with two other adoptees, Susan Branco Alvarado, and Joy Lieberthal Rho. All are to be interviewed by Nnamdi on tough post-adoption issues and policy problems. Among topics discussed will be the discriminatory way adoptees in the U.S. are expected to access their original birth certificates.

The permanent link to the show can be found here. You can listen to it live on the web during the noon hour (the last 40 minutes of the hour are expected to be dedicated to these three adoptee professionals). Transcripts and a recording of the segment should be made available on the page sometime after the conclusion of the segment.

House bill will restore birth certificate access to Pennsylvania born adoptees

2013-01-20T20:08:00.002-05:00

For immediate release

YORK, PA--January 19, 2013--A bill currently available for consideration by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, if passed, would result in thousands of adult adoptees realizing equal treatment under law when it comes to their birth certificates. Introduced by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre County, 171st Legislative District) and currently co-sponsored by 27 of his colleagues, HB 162 would restore the rights of all Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees to obtain their original, factual birth certificates.

"The Adoptee Rights Coalition mission is quite simple. We support the complete and unconditional restoration of an adopted person's right to access their Original Birth Certificate." says Jeff Hancock, president of the Adoptee Rights Coalition. "HB 162 provides for a complete unconditional restoration of access for adopted persons that is equal and fair for everyone. The ARC gladly endorses Pennsylvania's HB 162."

When a child is adopted in the state of Pennsylvania, the adoptee's original, factual birth certificate is altered--or amended--to make it appear as though the adoptive parents actually gave birth to the adoptee. There is no indication on the amended birth certificate that an adoption even took place. The original, factual birth certificate is sealed away and not legally recognized. Currently, Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees (age 18+) are not allowed to access their original birth certificate. In contrast, all non-adopted adults born in Pennsylvania can obtain a copy of their original birth certificates through a simple request process.

Prior to 1984, adult adoptees born in Pennsylvania were able to access their original birth certificates just as all non-adopted adults who were born in Pennsylvania. This equality under law changed upon the enactment of Act 195, The Adoption Act of 1984, which took away the right for adult adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates. Because of The Adoption Act of 1984, all Pennsylvania-born adult adoptees have been treated differently from all Pennsylvania non-adopted adults under law for over two decades.

The Adoptee Rights Coalition (ARC) fully supports HB 162 and Rep. Benninghoff. The Adoptee Rights Coalition is a national, grassroots group of adoptees, original parents and adoptive parents that supports legislation giving all adopted adults unconditional restored access to their own birth certificates.

For more information on the Adoptee Rights Coalitions, its participation in the National Conference of State Legislatures and birth certificate access in other states, visitwww.adopteerightscoalition.com
Press Contact:

Julie Stromberg
Adoptee Rights Coalition
Julie@adopteerightscoalition.com
717-819-1831

House bill will restore birth certificate access to some Maryland born adoptees

2013-01-20T19:57:00.000-05:00

For immediate release

YORK, PA--January 19, 2013--A bill currently available for consideration by the Maryland General Assembly, if passed, would result in thousands of adult adoptees having access to their original birth certificates while also allowing biological parents who relinquished a child to adoption to sign a disclosure veto.

"HB 22 is biased, and if passed will not provide equal access to each Maryland born adoptee," says Jeff Hancock, president of the Adoptee Rights Coalition. "While promoting open adoptions retroactive to 2,000, it also places unfair conditions for older adoptees who seek their personal information."

When a child is adopted in the state of Maryland, the adoptee's original, factual birth certificate is altered--or amended--to make it appear as though the adoptive parents actually gave birth to the adoptee. There is no indication on the amended birth certificate that an adoption even took place. The original, factual birth certificate is sealed away and not legally recognized. Currently, Maryland-born adult adoptees (age 18+) who were born after 1947 are not allowed to access their original birth certificate. In contrast, all non-adopted adults born in Maryland can obtain a copy of their original birth certificates through a simple request process.

The disclosure veto would allow an adult adoptee's biological parents to withhold their identifying information from being included on the copy of the original birth certificate provided to the adoptee. In contrast, all non-adopted adults in Maryland can obtain a copy of their original birth certificates containing all identifying information without a disclosure veto option available to their biological parents.

The Adoptee Rights Coalition does not support HB 22 (cross-filled with SB 165) because it feels that disclosure vetoes result in adult adoptees being treated differently under law from non-adopted adults. The Adoptee Rights Coalition is a national, grassroots group of adoptees, original parents and adoptive parents that supports legislation giving all adopted adults unconditional restored access to their own birth certificates.

For more information on the Adoptee Rights Coalitions, its participation in the National Conference of State Legislatures and birth certificate access in other states, visit www.adopteerightscoalition.com

Press Contact:
Julie Stromberg
Adoptee Rights Coalition
Julie@adopteerightscoalition.com
717-819-1831

A New Jersey DENIED Adoptee: Joan E. Kaufman

2012-08-31T10:30:00.000-04:00

This is the Beginning of My "DENIED" Story

Having been adopted in New Jersey, I was never able to obtain my original birth certificate.

Growing up I begged my adoptive mother over and over for any possible information she might have about my birth mother until one day, shooting her foot through the kitchen wall she screamed,

“Don’t ever ask me that again.” I guess that was the end of the story.

For years I would go on believing I must have been the product of rape, incest or my birth mother just wanted to get rid of me. I never fantasized about being the daughter of famous celebrities who were unable to raise me fearing an illegitimate birth might ruin their careers. This was a few years ago.

I thought this was the end of the story until my mother was on her death bed. Literally.
Read more »

Adoptee Tribute: Representing Over 900 Names of the Denied

2012-08-13T12:16:00.000-04:00

Beginning in 2009, ARC organizer and volunteer, Jeff Hancock began carrying names of people who support the Adoptee Rights Demonstration.

The names are those Adoptees, parents, family members and supporters who want to join us, but are not able to physically be at that year's Adoptee Rights Day.

Jeff has promised to create this tribute each year until either all 50 states unseal and restore OBC access to Adult Adoptees or dies doing so.

Official Adoptee Rights Demonstration 2012 Itinerary

2012-08-03T21:47:00.002-04:00

Sunday, August 5th

Adoptee Rights Sign Making Party/Pizza Dinner

6:30 pm to 10:00pm: Sheraton 4 Points Chicago O'Hare - Conference room

We will be working on our signs for the demonstration, going over McCormick Place Chicago Rules, giving instructions about the demonstration and eating pizza!! This event is open to all even if you are not staying at the hotel!

ARC will supply poster making materials, but if you have some extra markers, feel free to bring them with you.

Monday, August 6th

THE 2012 ADOPTEE RIGHTS DEMONSTRATION!!

We will be providing transportation via charter bus to and from the demonstration, Monday August 6 for those who have already signed up for and registered for the bus. Due to the numbers this year, there will be NO EXCEPTIONS

8:30 am: We will be meeting in the parking lot of The 4 Points Sheraton O'Hare
9:00 am: The bus leaves at 9 am SHARP.

A note about film makers

2012-08-02T19:04:00.000-04:00

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This year The Adoptee Rights Coalition is thrilled to expect not only record numbers of demonstration participants, but we will also have a small number of documentary film crews covering our event. While we are pleased to receive this additional support and publicity, we ask the filmmakers to please respect the privacy concerns of our participants. We are not allowing filming at the poster party at the Sheraton, as this is a very personal and private time for many of our supporters. Participants travel from around the world to attend our annual demonstrations, and prefer to meet each other in person without being on camera.

We ask that before filming at the demonstration, you provide release forms for anyone agreeing to be filmed, and that you let all participants and/or staff of McCormick Place Chicago know that you are not affiliated with The Adoptee Rights Coalition.

We have secured our own permits for McCormick Place, and filming was not something listed in our contract. We do not wish to be in violation of our signed agreement.

Our attendees are welcome to take part in any film/documentary being filmed, but please do so at your own risk and ask to sign a release form. The Adoptee Rights Coalition is not affiliated with ANY film (professional/student/amateur) production company or private individuals who may be filming.

Thank You.

The Adoptee Rights Coalition Executive Board

Where to Meet for the Adoptee Rights Demonstration

2012-08-01T13:45:00.003-04:00

For Those NOT Going on the Adoptee Rights Bus

If you are NOT taking the buses from the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel, then you will need to find and hook up with the Adoptee Rights Demonstration!

McCormick Place Convention Center (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60616) is huge, but we will be meeting and demonstrating in McCormick Square. It is a central location off South Martin Luther King Drive and is at the back base of the Hyatt Hotel there.

See the Adoptee Rights Demonstration map live on Google Maps

Focus on Discriminating Against Adopted People

Please Remember: access to original birth certificates is not about a right to reunion. Access to our records is about ending the discrimination against adoptees. It really is that simple. That is truly something that no statistic, no fake privacy rights, no adoption agency can counter. There is no argument that overrules our discrimination. Discrimination is discrimination. And we, the adopted, ARE being discriminated against by being denied access to our original, unaltered birth certificates. Keep your message simple and to the point.

When you get to McCormick Square, you'll want to look for this place:

And people that look like this:

Rules of Conduct for McCormick Place

McCormick Place is public property and does not fall under the public city demonstration laws. While we have a permit and the written consent to hold the Adoptee Rights Demonstration at McCormick Place, please MAKE YOURSELF AWARE THAT WE HAVE AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING:

No member of the Adoptee Rights Coalition or Adoptee Rights Demonstration, guests, supporters may:

Violate any law,City ordinances or zoning requirements or prohibitions
Cause injury or damage to McCormick Place resources or facilities
Interfere with ingress or egress of McCormick Place patrons
Impair the operations of McCormick Place facilities
Endanger the health or safety of the public or McCormick Place patrons
Litter
Generate noise though the use of amplified sound devices such as bullhorns, PA systems, in violation of levels permitted in the City of Chicago Ordinances
Affix signs, literature or any other materials to any object, structure, sculpture or trees on McCormick Place
Use vehicle or any other wheeled devices as part of an expressive activity; with exception of wheelchairs and other similar motorized devices for those individuals physically requiring such devices
Store or leave unattended any boxes or bags of literature or any other materials
Erect any table, chair, booth or other structure or physical prop
Or disseminate obscene materials

Thank you for Supporting the Fifth Annual Adoptee Rights Demonstration! Your Rights, Your Protest!

We'll see YOU in Chicago!!

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National Adoptee Rights Group Travels To Illinois to Free Original Birth Certificates

2012-07-25T22:23:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Adoptee Rights Group Travels To Illinois to Free Original Birth Certificates

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 their civil rights restored, the Adoptee Rights Coalition; http://www.adopteerightscoalition.com; adopted persons, their families and friends will be gathering in Chicago, Illinois, during the National Conference of State Legislators’ annual summit. The fifth 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 unrestricted access to their original birth certificates upon the age of 18. While other states have made some progress, there are still 44 American states not allowing an adopted persons to be treated the same as a non adopted person, and in most states, they are still completely denied access to their own records for life. All adoptees not living in an open records state, whether in an open or closed adoption, will find that their original birth certificate will forever be sealed away under current legislation.

The participants of the Adoptee Rights Demonstration believe that all people in the United States should be treated equally; not based the state of residence or the circumstances of their birth. To do otherwise is discrimination. Adoptee Rights volunteers help educate 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 6, 2012, at 10 am, The Adoptee Rights Demonstration will march at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ annual summit, being held at the at the McCormick Place Convention Center Chicago, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive. 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 parents who relinquished them, their adoptive parents who raised them, plus various family and supporters asking for one simple act; change the laws so they can be treated equally.

Many Reps Are Clueless Regarding State Discrimination Laws

When asked about the current adoption laws in their own state, many state legislators will find that the Adoptee Rights Volunteers know much more about the laws then they do.

"We have found that much of the general public, including many elected officials, are woefully unaware of the legal discrimination sanctioned in this country. Even adoptive parents and birthmothers/fathers have no idea that the laws are still decades old. If every caring adoptive parent knew that they were raising a child to be discriminated against, then they would be marching with us in Chicago." states Jeff Hancock, adoptee and demonstration organizer.

There is no legislation or any adoption contract that states why an adopted person is not entitled to his or her own birth certificate. Most of the laws were created to "protect" the infant from the stigma of bastardization, but those provisions are no longer needed, nor wanted by most parties involved. Those who would continue to deny adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates base their erroneous beliefs on information that is not supported by historical nor statistical facts garnered from both US and international states with open records legislation in place.

Adoptee Rights legislation is pending in various states including New Jersey, Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania.

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: ARC@Adopteerightscoalition.com

Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AdopteeRightsCoalitionand on Twitter @AdopteeRightsCo for legislative updates and community all year.

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A brief thank you & demonstration conduct

2012-07-13T09:11:00.000-04:00

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Thank you so much for all the overwhelming support of adoptive parents, adoptees, natural parents, parents and people of all stripes, all those that support the very important work of restoring dignity and parity to adoptees. We are so blessed to have your unwavering time, money, and other intangible contributions to help right this terrible wrong that has been imposed upon adoptees.

In planning for the 2012 Adoptee Rights Demonstration in Chicago, we feel it very important to remind each participant that our focus is, and always has been, the unconditional restored access of an adoptee's original birth certificate. It is through our voluntary work as a small, grass-roots movement, to seek only the state sanctioned restoration of dignity for individuals that were adopted.

While we want to thank everyone for their support on this important topic of adoptee equality, we also need to remind one and all that this is our single focus of the Adoptee Rights Coalition. We ask that each of you be mindful of your language, behavior, and attire. Protest posters will be rendered the evening prior to the protest. However, if you choose to bring your own it must be met with ARC board member approval prior to the demonstration.

The Adoptee Rights Coalition also maintains the right to refuse any props, costuming, or gimmicks not in receipt of our approval prior to the protest. The “Code of Conduct” standards contained within the ARC creed will be strictly enforced.

2012 will be our biggest and most challenging year, as we will be representing in a tiered access state for the first time. It is a very exciting opportunity for us because we are going to be able to address tiered access in a state where they believe they have done right for us, but as we know, any discrimination is never justified. We are prepared and ready to address the false information that discrimination is ever justified, regardless of birth-status. NO adoptee left behind!

The booth workers who have been scheduled have been notified of their schedules. We would like to thank everyone for their interest in working in the booth this year. While we wish we could accommodate everyone who wants to have time in the booth, the numbers are too great. Please take that energy to work in your home state to restore unconditional citizenship if it is lacking in your state, to work on state based groups to get your legislators to support you. If you are lucky enough to live in a free-state, please work for a neighboring state that still believes that adoptees are less-than. Write letters, visit your legislators, they are required to have offices in your community.

We thank each of you in advance for your commitment to adoptee rights and for conforming to our standards.

In solidarity:

The Adoptee Rights Coalition.

It's time for The Adoptee Rights Coalition Letter Writing Campaign!

2012-06-28T10:04:00.000-04:00

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How can YOU help?

By writing your legislators. If you don't know who your legislator is, or

where to send your letters, here's a great link:

Find Your Representative

Enter your zip code in the box and click ‘GO’. Many zip codes split

legislative districts, so enter in your full ZIP+4 code. If you don’t know

your ZIP+4, just enter your zip code in the box, and on the next page enter

your address. The site will find your representatives that way.

On the results page, you’ll be given every representative, from the

President all the way down to your local assembly. While it sounds good to

get the word all the way to the top, you’ll want to skip writing to the

President or Congress. They have no power nor authority over our birth

certificate access, and honestly don’t care. The individuals you want to

focus on will be on the right hand side of the results.

Clicking on an individual’s name will bring you to a page with their contact

information. The page will have an option to send an email to your elected

official. We’d like to ask you to please consider not emailing them; rather

sending them snail mail instead. Many legislators do not value emails, or if

they do, value personal letters over emails. Sending a personalized fax is

acceptable if you’re running out of time close to a deadline, but letters

via US Mail carry the most weight.

So, you're ready to write your legislators but you don't exactly know what to say? Here is a sample to help get you started. If you take these basics and personalize your details into the mix, you'll have a great letter!

A quick note... access to original birth certificates is not about a right to reunion. Access to our records is about ending the discrimination against adoptees.

It really is that simple. That is truly something that no statistic, no fake privacy rights, no adoption agency can counter. There is no argument that overrules our discrimination. Discrimination is discrimination. And we, the adopted, ARE being discriminated against by being denied access to our original, unaltered birth certificates.

You’ll want to keep your letter short – under one page – and you’ll want to focus on the civil rights issue of sealed birth certificates for only one class of citizens – adoptees! Arguments and compromise measures come up over the ideas of reunion and medical history, but no one can argue that the non-adopted have unrestricted and unjustified access to their birth

certificates!

Here is a sample letter- it's a sample, so tweak it a bit to make it more personable, but stick to the main topic- ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR ALL AMERICANS.

Dear Assembly member X — or Honorable Senator Y:

This August, individuals from across the Nation will be traveling to Chicago, Illinois, to take part in the annual Adoptee Rights Demonstration. As a registered voter in your District, I wanted to advise you that I have made plans to attend the National Conference of State Legislators, and add my support to those who view adult adoptees as equal citizens under the law.

The State of X must stop discriminating against adoptees and allow them the same unfettered access to their original birth certificates that non-adopted citizens enjoy. As an adoptee, I am clearly treated differently because of out-dated assumptions and misleading statistics concerning privacy and secrecy.

As my elected official, your support and agreement on this matter is extremely important to me (if your state has pending legislation,—- you can add in: as is your support of /opposition to Bill xxxxxx).

Thank you for your time and attention to this important civil rights issue. I hope you will be attending the convention, and will visit The Adoptee Rights Coalition booth inside the convention center.

If you should have any questions or wish to speak with me, I can be reached at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Respectfully,

XXXXXX

For those from restored access states

As you are aware, in 200x our state restored the rights of adopted adults to access their original birth certificates. As reported in November, 2007 by the Evan B. Donaldson Foundation, there have been no negative repercussions since then by the passing of this bill. I hope you will be able to visit the booth supporting restored access at the National Conference of State Legislators this August and show your support for adoptees currently working to pass similar bills in their states. Your experience and voice as a legislator in a restored access state will be invaluable.

Other points to consider….

The United Kingdom and Australia have restored birth certificate with great success. During your time at the convention, I encourage you to enter conversation with representatives from Alaska and Kansas where birth certificates were never sealed. Other states that may be of interest to you are Oregon, Alabama, New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island, as they have reversed sealed birth certificate laws and restored access to adoptees from their states. I believe you will be encouraged by the positive reports from your peers.

OBC access is NOT ABOUT REUNION.

Millions of adult adoptees’ original birth certificates are currently sealed, denying them basic genealogical information.

Adoptee's original birth certificates have been sealed for less than 60 years in many states. They were sealed as a "courtesy" to the adoptive family.

Opponents of birth certificate access have claimed that birthmothers were promised privacy under the law. No such law exists. Birthmothers were not party to adoption documents.

Adult adoptees obtaining their original record of birth is a basic right, a legitimate need in the search of their complete identity.

In many states, adult adoptees must now petition the court, and provide “good cause” for the release of the original birth certificate. The decision for release is left to the discretion of the judge. This constitutes unequal treatment as non-adopted persons have their birth records without petitioning the courts and at their will.

In states where adoptees are provided equal access to their original birth certificate, no negative consequences have occurred.

Of course, if you can visit your state reps in person, that's great, too!! See if you can schedule an appointment.

Thank you for your help! It is up to all of us to make this a reality, and every letter helps, as do your donations to The Adoptee Rights Coalition and your presence at the demonstrations. See you in Chicago!!

Last chance to register!

2012-06-16T17:04:00.001-04:00

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If you have not made your hotel reservations, please do so now. The rate WILL be going up in a few days.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

Just a reminder, our sign making/pizza party will be SUNDAY night from 6-10 pm at our hotel. It is important that everyone attends, as we will have a few rules we need to go over, in accordance with Chicago laws. Besides that, it is fun!!

BUS REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

Thank you to everyone who has responded and everyone who has contributed their time and money. YOU make the difference!

We look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago! Let's make history this year!

Transportation Registration

2012-06-06T18:32:00.000-04:00

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If you are staying at our official hotel (The 4 Points Sheraton O'Hare) and are planning on taking the bus we are providing, you MUST register. Registration closes July 10.

Please click the following link to register. Thank you!

Bus Registration Form

Hotel Reservation Information- You are running out of time!

2012-05-24T17:59:00.000-04:00

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Don't be left out!!

The official hotel for The 2012 Adoptee Rights Demonstration is the Starwood Four Points Sheraton O'Hare.

We have reserved a block of rooms and secured a group rate of $79.00 plus tax for our attendees. The hotel has a 24 hour shuttle to O'Hare International Airport, where public transportation is available 24 hours a day to downtown Chicago.

THIS RATE IS ONLY GOOD FOR 3 MORE WEEKS. PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY.

We will have our sign making/pizza party Sunday night, August 5, from 6-10 pm at the hotel.

We will be posting more details about the demonstration soon, but we know everyone wants to get their rooms reserved.

We will be providing transportation via charter bus to and from the demonstration, Monday August 6.

To make hotel reservations, follow this link.

Let's make 2012 THE year!

Help Fund the Lobby Booth for the Adoptee Rights Coalition at the NCSL!

2012-02-26T14:07:00.002-05:00

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What happens AFTER the Adoptee Rights Demonstration?

The profit in adoption, happened along time ago in most of our lives. As we all know, there is NO money in the work that we do. When it comes to changing laws, the adoption groups are marginalized, underrepresented, ignored, and unfunded. That's one of the main reasons we have the demonstration at the NCSL Summits. The good old fashioned stick waving chanting protest is what gets the ATTENTION of the lawmakers.

After we demonstrate, the real work of the ARC begins! The NCSL Legislative Summit is Aug. 6-9, 2012 in Chicago, IL. In order to have access to the state legislators, we have to purchase an exhibit booth in the main exhibit hall during the conference. We are vying for attention against the huge lobby groups who have giant displays, custom swag to giveaway and are funded by major interest groups. We are, without a doubt, the underdogs of the NCSL fighting against the big corporations. There is no getting around the cost of the booth.

Please help the ARC BUY THE BOOTH!

This year the booth is $1,795 and NCSL exhibit hall want their money right away. Minimum 50% down ($897.50) by March 16 or 100% payable after. They're already assigning booths, but there are a few good ones left at the moment. The better the booth location, the more attention we can bring to the need for new Adoptee Rights legislation, so time is of the essence!

This is a special Donation Campaign specifically to help fund the booth!

Perks for Your Contributionto The ARC

Add Your Name to the Chain: $1

One of the traditions of the Adoptee Rights Protest is Jeff Hancock's hand made "Name" necklace. If you can't make it to Chicago, march in spirit.
PLEASE NOTE: We are NOT charging for additions to the annual name necklace that Jeff creates, but we want to have a perk even for the smallest donation because EVERY bit helps! You can STILL be included in the necklace without this donation.

CLAIM THIS PERK

2 Claimed

Sweets for Sweeties!: $25

A sampling of custom made ARC wrapped minis can be yours! Ok they are really just Hersey's minis, but they are wrapped up by hand in beautifully crafted Adoptee Rights Wrappers. Hand cut and tapped! (delivery after the Adoptee Rights Demonstration)

CLAIM THIS PERK

0 out of 10 Claimed

The Foundling: $100
49 years ago Mary Gauthier was abandoned by her mother at the St. Vincent’s Infants Home in New Orleans. She was adopted. Last year she released her seventh recording, a concept album called “The Foundling.” It’s scathing and tender and fearless.. and all about what it feels like to be adopted.

CLAIM THIS PERK

0 out of 4 Claimed

Be Infamous: $500

Ever have a blog post dedicated to how super awesome you are? Ever have something to say but not sure how to say it? Birthmother blogger Claudia D'Arcy of Musings of the Lame will write and publish a blog post all about you.

CLAIM THIS PERK

0 out of 5 Claimed

Help with What You DO!

Short of cash of strong in spirit? Go share the love! Tweet it, share on Facebook, email your friends, give the video a thumbs up on YouTube!

Hotel Reservation Information

2012-02-13T01:15:00.000-05:00

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The official hotel for The 2012 Adoptee Rights Demonstration is the Starwood Four Points Sheraton O'Hare.

We will have our sign making/pizza party Sunday night, August 5, from 6-10 pm at the hotel.

We will be posting more details about the demonstration soon, but we know everyone wants to get their rooms reserved.

We will be providing transportation via charter bus to and from the demonstration, Monday August 6.

To make hotel reservations, follow this link.

Let's make 2012 THE year!

2012 Adoptee Rights Demonstration: Hotel Update

2012-02-08T16:09:00.004-05:00

CHANGE!!!

Chicago Hotel

We have been blessed by the most gracious donation! The OFFICAL Adoptee Rights Demonstration Hotel is the:

Starwood Sheraton Four Points O'Hare

We have a group rate of $79.00 a night. We will have the discount available as soon as possible, but you have to wait for the contract to be signed ( as we type) and the discount code to be produced. More details coming soon!

Get on the Adoptee Rights BUS!

As the hotel is closer to O'Hare, we have been most fortunately gifted by the payment of a charter bus with a driver which will take us from the hotel to the Downtown Chicago for the Adoptee Rights Demonstration!!! IF our donor says yes, we shall release her name so you know who to thank! The bus will also take us all, em mass, back to the hotel after the demonstration.

Adoptee Rights Sign Making Party

With this FINAL hotel decision, we have also confirmed the meeting room for the sign making party on August 5th!

Other Adoptee Rights Demonstration Details

The Adoptee Rights Coalition will be providing OFFICIAL signs and literature to hand out at the sign making party and the day of the demonstration.

We will be meeting at the hotel and then getting on the ADOPTEE RIGHTS BUS! After the demonstration, we will return to the hotel this year. As past experiences have showed us that people are tired and wanted to clean up after the demonstration, we will have the celebratory after party closer to the hotel after "nap time"

No Excuses! Plan for the Adoptee Rights Day 2012!

To sign up for ARD 2012 Chicago, please fill out the simple ARC registration form. All you have to do is click this link!Start putting some $$ aside and plan for the BEST fight for Adoptee Rights to date!

Chi'town here we come!

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Register to Attend the 2012 Adoptee Rights Demonstration

2012-01-28T12:05:00.002-05:00

August 6th, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago...it's our kind of town!

The 2012 Adoptee Rights Demonstration at the National Conference of State Legislatures Annual Summit will be held in Chicago, Illinois August 6, 2012.

The 5th Annual 2012 Adoptee Rights Protest Details

Our Adoptee Rights sign making party will be held on Sunday, August 5^th 2012.

We will have hotel reservation details, along with a discount code in a few days, both here and on our Facebook page.

Why Chicago? Why the NCSL?

The National Conference of State Legislatures is the largest grouping of state legislators at any one given time. It's the national organization of STATE LAWMAKERS, the people who DECIDE whether you may access your original birth certificate… OR NOT.

The Exhibitors Booth in the NCSL convention center allows us to talk about adoption laws to legislators from every state. The NCSL Legislative Summit is the largest and most important meeting of the year for legislators and legislative staff and is highly attended. It is here where we enlighten lawmakers about achieving equal rights for adoptees. After the Demonstration, The ARC spends the following three days, August 7th, 8th and 9th, in the Exhibition Hall at McCormick Place in Chicago working directly with legislators and staff so they may become aware and educated about the need for Adoptee Rights legislation in their home states.

Add Your Voice to the Adoptee Rights Demonstration!

We hope supporters representing every state will join us in Chicago to demonstrate their commitment to adoptee rights and meet their state delegation.

To sign up for ARD 2012 Chicago, please fill out the simple ARC registration form. All you have to do is click this link!

WE NEED EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS THE RIGHTS OF ADOPTEES TO UNCONDITIONAL ACCESS THEIR RECORDS OF BIRTH TO COME AND SHOW THAT SUPPORT. Adult adoptees, first families, adoptive families, friends and supporters… EVERYONE.

Support the Adoptee Rights Demonstration in Chicago

We rely on donations from our supporters to fund our expenses- city permits, booth rental and supplies can exceed $3000.00, so any amount you can donate would be greatly appreciated. All you have to do is click the "Donate" button, located on the top left of this page!

In addition, please share the information freely to all your adoption groups, adoption forums, adoption related articles, on your blogs, or ANYWEHRE you can think of! Please SHARE from Facebook, add your comments, and like the announcement. If you are on Google Plus, add the Adoptee Rights Collation to your circles. Follow the @AdopteeRightsCo on Twitter and re-tweet!

The Staff of Adoptee Rights Coalition would like to thank you for your commitment, and we look forward to seeing you at the in Chicago in August!

We value the importance of your identifying information and we’ll never share it with any third parties. Your information will only be used for the Adoptee Rights Demonstration 2012 Chicago.
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Adoptee Rights Products!

2012-01-05T22:31:00.004-05:00

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Get Ready for Adoptee Rights Day 2012

Did you know that when you buy a T shirt or ARC coffee mug from Cafe Press that 25% of the profits help us pay for the fees and signs and all the other things that we need to make the Adoptee Rights Demonstration a success?
Plus, we all look so good sporting our Adoptee Rights threads!

New Adoptee Rights Products

Besides the shirts galore, we have some new and exciting products this year!

The ARC OVAL WALL PEEL: After you cut out the "extra' on this oval, you can stick this thing just about anywhere!

Monster ARC 12"x12" CAR MAGNET: Driving to Chicago? Say it all with one of these beauties! Yes, you need to be a tiny bit crafty and cut out the circle, unless you have a white car!

MAGNETIC Bumper Sticker! Because some days, we know you don't want to be an activist. Take it off and put in in the glove box until you feel like dealing again!

DENIED KEY RING: Denied your OBC, denied entry to yourself? Someday someone will give us our keys to ourselves!

Make sure you check out the entire ARC "collection at Cafe Press!

DENIED OBC shirts and products can be found and purchased on Cafe Press too!

Final Itinerary for The 2011 Adoptee Rights Demonstration

2011-08-03T00:19:00.001-04:00

The 2011 Adoptee Rights Demonstration,

San Antonio, Texas August 7th and 8th

It's last call, y'all!

2011-07-28T10:06:00.003-04:00

We are just DAYS away from The 2011 Adoptee Rights Demonstration! Are you ready? We are!

We would like to send a shout of thanks to everyone who has made this year's event possible. Without your donations, there would be no demonstration. Our demonstration is unique in that it gives adoptees, first Mothers and adoptive parents direct access to the legislators who can change our laws...laws which prevent adoptees from possessing their own personal information, their original birth certificates.

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