Why is an Adoptee Rights movement still needed?
Did you know that in most states in the U.S.A, adult adoptees still lack the same rights to our birth certificates as other citizens? This is the case for me as someone born and adopted in the state of Virginia. Chances are, under the current law, I will never be able to receive my Original Birth Certificate, which was sealed when I received an amended one upon my adoption. I consulted an attorney who told me that I could petition Richmond but that my petition would likely be denied.
In the Virginia State House, HB1969, a bill to grant adult adoptees equal OBC access, just died by being referred back to committee. I gave written testimony and gave brief testimony by Zoom along with several other adoptee activists. (We were only given one minute each to give testimony.)
Hopefully the bill will be reintroduced next year. As I understand it, these efforts for adoptee rights usually take years of effort to pass through state legislatures. That effort requires a movement - the Adoptee Rights Movement. Although this is not a comprehensive list (it does not even touch on international efforts), here are some good Adoptee Rights websites:
Kudos to Glen Kessler and Compass Atelier
It all begins with an idea.
Congratulations to my art teacher Glen Kessler on a great write-up by F. Lennox Campello on Glen’s art school, Compass Atelier: