If you are an adoptee, and happen to be gay also, you will now be twice screwed by the State of North Carolina.
Not only will you not be allowed to have a copy of your original birth certificate once you are an adult, but now the State of North Carolina, is proposing Amendment One, to trample more of the rights you don't have yet.
I always have been taught that there was a Seperation of Church and State. What happened? Our State is letting religous right Representatives and Senators run the show.
Senator James Forrester of Lincoln, Gaston and Iredell counties, has tried to get a bill through the legislature for the past 8 years, and it has went no where. That is because there is already a law in place that prohibits marriage between same sex couples.
However now it will go before the people of North Carolina. Those who think Amendment One will just be about preventing same sex marriage, had better think again. This amendment will affect those heterosexuals who co-habit together. If a man beats the woman he is living with, she may not have any recourse.
However I digress. What this blog started out about is RIGHTS.
The right for an adult adoptee to be able to have access to their own orginal birth certificate.
The right of a same sex partner who is an adoptee to be able to have access to their original birth certificate and be able to have the same EQUAL RIGHTS as any other GOD fearing individual.
If they put Amendment One before the people, why won't they put another amendment before the people to allow adult adoptees to have access to their original birth certificate?
Just saying: EQUAL RIGHTS are EQUAL RIGHTS are they not?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
NJ S799 Passes 5/9/2011
It took 31 years and many many people associated with adoption reform, and some really great sponsors to finally pass a bill to allow adult adoptees to have access to their original birth certificate in New Jersey. This means that if and when Governor Christie signs the bill into law, that I will now be one of the thousands who will be allowed to see their original birth certificate.
I will know what time I was born finally.
I only wish that I could have been there side by side with all of those who helped to make it possible in New Jersey.
Pam Hasegawa, Judy Foster, Pete Franklin, and the so many more that I do not know their names. My hat goes off to all of you. I am in it for one more try in North Carolina and then will find someone to hand it off to. I do not have the stamina that you all have had all these many years to keep going back.
I will come to NJ to get my copy though and hope that I will see some of you there as well.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart guys for everything you have accomplished.
I will know what time I was born finally.
I only wish that I could have been there side by side with all of those who helped to make it possible in New Jersey.
Pam Hasegawa, Judy Foster, Pete Franklin, and the so many more that I do not know their names. My hat goes off to all of you. I am in it for one more try in North Carolina and then will find someone to hand it off to. I do not have the stamina that you all have had all these many years to keep going back.
I will come to NJ to get my copy though and hope that I will see some of you there as well.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart guys for everything you have accomplished.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The American Adoption Congress - Calling ALL Birthparents
The American Adoption Congress is calling all birthparent's. In November of 1998, 500 birthparents helped to sway public opinion and enact change in Oregon by submitting their names for publication to help pass Oregon's Measure 58.
The AAC is enlisting you to add your name among those who support the right of adult adopted persons to obtain their original birth certificate.
If you are a birthparent (mother or father) and believe adopted persons deserve access to their original birth certificate, then please fill in the form.
Your information is private and will not be shared. Only your name will be included in the list of birthparents supporting access.
Please tell others about this form. If you have already signed the form, AAC thanks you.
The AAC is enlisting you to add your name among those who support the right of adult adopted persons to obtain their original birth certificate.
If you are a birthparent (mother or father) and believe adopted persons deserve access to their original birth certificate, then please fill in the form.
Your information is private and will not be shared. Only your name will be included in the list of birthparents supporting access.
Please tell others about this form. If you have already signed the form, AAC thanks you.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Family Medical History - How Much Do YOU Know?
November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Also during this month our US Surgeon General tells us to sit down with our families during our Thanksgiving dinner and discuss what diseases run in our families. For families with with biological children this is terrific. But for those families with adopted adults sitting at the table, it does no good to have this discussion, because we do not carry the genetics of our adoptive parents.
There are reasons for our States to start thinking about giving adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. Stop and think about what the first thing a doctor asks when you go to him. What is your medical history. In fact you have to fill out the form, and for adoptees it is almost always the same. I can't answer this because I am adopted.
What this means for the general public, is that every time an adoptee goes to a doctor, and they cannot figure out what is wrong, then the doctor has to perfom test after test after test on that person. The end result for the general public and why they SHOULD care is that your insurance rates go up, for all the testing we have to under go.
If our States would only grant adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates, we might be able to find out our updated medical information. We actually might be able to find someone who has our genetic makeup and be able to go to the doctor and tell them that diabetes or heart disease or Schizophrenia or MS, or any other disease actually runs in our family.
Oh, but I keep forgetting there are those of you who are naysayers to giving an adult adoptee access to that one document which states information regarding their own true birth. And if I remember right it is because you have some belief that the women who gave birth to those children all those years ago were promised confidentiality. And even if that woman wanted access, all of you should have the right to say they can't have contact with one another all these years later.
Well, even if they were promised this supposed confidentiality, and it were to go before the courts in North Carolina, it wouldn't be able to be upheld. That is because the relinquised childs records are NOT sealed upon the RELINQUISHMENT. They are ONLY sealed if the child is ADOPTED. And currently and even in the past, I hate to say it but there was NO way anyone could tell a woman her child would assuredly be adopted. Are you getting the flavor of what I am saying?
I really hated having to have to go through all of those test every time I went to the doctor, but everytime I got through it, I would have a good laugh at the expense of the naysayers, and think about their insurance rates going up, even though mine would also go up.
What can you do during the rest of this month, or next month or even the first one in the new year? Well, there is currently a movie out regarding the impact of sealed records on older adoptees. It is called "Adopted: For the Life of Me". (Trailer can be seen on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el7FQEDtb-M)
Our organization is here to show this movie to any group who would like to see it. There is no charge. Donations to our organization are welcome.
We will come to your church, home, meeting hall, you just tell us where. We have our own equipment, all you need is a blank wall.
We ensure you this movie will stir emotions in you that you didn't know were there.
Contact us through our home link if you are interested or know someone who may be intererested in seeing this documentary.
There are reasons for our States to start thinking about giving adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. Stop and think about what the first thing a doctor asks when you go to him. What is your medical history. In fact you have to fill out the form, and for adoptees it is almost always the same. I can't answer this because I am adopted.
What this means for the general public, is that every time an adoptee goes to a doctor, and they cannot figure out what is wrong, then the doctor has to perfom test after test after test on that person. The end result for the general public and why they SHOULD care is that your insurance rates go up, for all the testing we have to under go.
If our States would only grant adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates, we might be able to find out our updated medical information. We actually might be able to find someone who has our genetic makeup and be able to go to the doctor and tell them that diabetes or heart disease or Schizophrenia or MS, or any other disease actually runs in our family.
Oh, but I keep forgetting there are those of you who are naysayers to giving an adult adoptee access to that one document which states information regarding their own true birth. And if I remember right it is because you have some belief that the women who gave birth to those children all those years ago were promised confidentiality. And even if that woman wanted access, all of you should have the right to say they can't have contact with one another all these years later.
Well, even if they were promised this supposed confidentiality, and it were to go before the courts in North Carolina, it wouldn't be able to be upheld. That is because the relinquised childs records are NOT sealed upon the RELINQUISHMENT. They are ONLY sealed if the child is ADOPTED. And currently and even in the past, I hate to say it but there was NO way anyone could tell a woman her child would assuredly be adopted. Are you getting the flavor of what I am saying?
I really hated having to have to go through all of those test every time I went to the doctor, but everytime I got through it, I would have a good laugh at the expense of the naysayers, and think about their insurance rates going up, even though mine would also go up.
What can you do during the rest of this month, or next month or even the first one in the new year? Well, there is currently a movie out regarding the impact of sealed records on older adoptees. It is called "Adopted: For the Life of Me". (Trailer can be seen on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el7FQEDtb-M)
Our organization is here to show this movie to any group who would like to see it. There is no charge. Donations to our organization are welcome.
We will come to your church, home, meeting hall, you just tell us where. We have our own equipment, all you need is a blank wall.
We ensure you this movie will stir emotions in you that you didn't know were there.
Contact us through our home link if you are interested or know someone who may be intererested in seeing this documentary.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Full Day of Adoption Movies - Evening of Music
One week from tomorrow, on October 23, the NC Coalition for Adoption Reform will host an ALL day event, at the NC University of Chapel Hill Chapman Hall Room 125 - starting with registration at 8:30am.
This event celebrates the implementation of HB1463 - Confidential Intermediary - Expand Access bill passage and implementation on October 1, 2010
This new bill allows "Biological Siblings and 1/2 siblings of adult adoptees, adult fmily members of deceased adoptees and adult family members of a deceased biological parent to have access to the CI program services upon the consent of the parties, and allows an agency to act as a CI to obtain a copy of a death certificate of the person who is a subject of a search and deliver it to the person requesting the services.
At 9:00am, you will be able to view the movie Loggerheads - Inspired by true events, Loggerheads tells the story of an adoption "triad" - birthmother, child, and adoptive parents - each in three interwoven stories in the days leading up to Mother's Day weekend, and each in one of the three distinctive geographical regions of North Carolina - mountains, Piedmont and costal plain.
After the movie, Diana Ricketts, the birthmother whom Bonnie Hunt portrays in Tim Kirkman's movie will be on hand to answer questions. Tim will Skype in after the movie.
At 11:30am, viewers will see Roots: Unknown by Zara Phillips - A 30 minute documentary examining the lifelong impact of adoption. This movie focuses on the emotional influence adoption has on the adoptee and their families.
At 1:30pm, we will show Unlocking the Heart of Adoption by Sheila Ganz - This movie chronicles the filmaker's journey as a birthmother interwoven with diverse personal stories of adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents in both same rase and transracial adoptions. These stories span 70 years. Sheila will join the audience for questions following the movie via Skype.
At 3:15, For the Life of Me - by Jean Strauss will be shown. What would it be like to never know who you were when you were born? For the Life of Me follows Dave as he embarks on a journey to find his birthmother. Along with the heartwarming stories of Joe and a half dozen other adopted citizens, Dave's saga illuminates the impact secrets can have over an entire lifetime. With its unexpected and moving conclusion, For the Life of Me is one of those films that will stay with you long after you witness it.
Jean will join us via Skype after this movies.
During the day you will have an opportunity to purchase some very unique photograps from the album Adoption Roots: Lost and Found done by Katrina Ketring. Her photos tell a story of Adoption from Birth, Separation, Feelings of Loss in Adoption, Lost Roots, the Search for roots and reunion. Her photography shows : How it feels to loose your Roots, the hole in adoption, the longing for our roots. Who am I? Who do I look like? What is my story, my heritage, my past, my roots? Was I wanted, was I loved?
Katrina is a reunited adoptee (17 years). We will be auctioning off three of her photos in 8x10 during the event.
Starting at 7:00 pm that evening, you will be entertained by Jo Gore and Bo Lankenau. Jo is a local girl, who sings Rock and Roll with Acoustic Soul.
At 7:30pm, Mary Gauthier [Go-Shay] and Tania Elizabeth will entertain with songs from Mary's new album called "The Foundling". The album has soncs such as: Mama Here, Mama Gone, Blood is Blood and The Orphan King.
The cost of this event is:
Full Day - $25.00
Movies Only $10.00
Music Only $15.00
(Sorry - No Credit Cards or checks at registration)
We hope you will come and join us for what will assuredly be a terrific day of entertainment.
Please contact Roberta MacDonald at nccar@mindspring.com if you would like to RSVP for this event.
This event celebrates the implementation of HB1463 - Confidential Intermediary - Expand Access bill passage and implementation on October 1, 2010
This new bill allows "Biological Siblings and 1/2 siblings of adult adoptees, adult fmily members of deceased adoptees and adult family members of a deceased biological parent to have access to the CI program services upon the consent of the parties, and allows an agency to act as a CI to obtain a copy of a death certificate of the person who is a subject of a search and deliver it to the person requesting the services.
At 9:00am, you will be able to view the movie Loggerheads - Inspired by true events, Loggerheads tells the story of an adoption "triad" - birthmother, child, and adoptive parents - each in three interwoven stories in the days leading up to Mother's Day weekend, and each in one of the three distinctive geographical regions of North Carolina - mountains, Piedmont and costal plain.
After the movie, Diana Ricketts, the birthmother whom Bonnie Hunt portrays in Tim Kirkman's movie will be on hand to answer questions. Tim will Skype in after the movie.
At 11:30am, viewers will see Roots: Unknown by Zara Phillips - A 30 minute documentary examining the lifelong impact of adoption. This movie focuses on the emotional influence adoption has on the adoptee and their families.
At 1:30pm, we will show Unlocking the Heart of Adoption by Sheila Ganz - This movie chronicles the filmaker's journey as a birthmother interwoven with diverse personal stories of adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents in both same rase and transracial adoptions. These stories span 70 years. Sheila will join the audience for questions following the movie via Skype.
At 3:15, For the Life of Me - by Jean Strauss will be shown. What would it be like to never know who you were when you were born? For the Life of Me follows Dave as he embarks on a journey to find his birthmother. Along with the heartwarming stories of Joe and a half dozen other adopted citizens, Dave's saga illuminates the impact secrets can have over an entire lifetime. With its unexpected and moving conclusion, For the Life of Me is one of those films that will stay with you long after you witness it.
Jean will join us via Skype after this movies.
During the day you will have an opportunity to purchase some very unique photograps from the album Adoption Roots: Lost and Found done by Katrina Ketring. Her photos tell a story of Adoption from Birth, Separation, Feelings of Loss in Adoption, Lost Roots, the Search for roots and reunion. Her photography shows : How it feels to loose your Roots, the hole in adoption, the longing for our roots. Who am I? Who do I look like? What is my story, my heritage, my past, my roots? Was I wanted, was I loved?
Katrina is a reunited adoptee (17 years). We will be auctioning off three of her photos in 8x10 during the event.
Starting at 7:00 pm that evening, you will be entertained by Jo Gore and Bo Lankenau. Jo is a local girl, who sings Rock and Roll with Acoustic Soul.
At 7:30pm, Mary Gauthier [Go-Shay] and Tania Elizabeth will entertain with songs from Mary's new album called "The Foundling". The album has soncs such as: Mama Here, Mama Gone, Blood is Blood and The Orphan King.
The cost of this event is:
Full Day - $25.00
Movies Only $10.00
Music Only $15.00
(Sorry - No Credit Cards or checks at registration)
We hope you will come and join us for what will assuredly be a terrific day of entertainment.
Please contact Roberta MacDonald at nccar@mindspring.com if you would like to RSVP for this event.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Upcoming Adoption Events - October & November
Well, it is that time of the year. The NC Coalition for Adoption Reform (NCCAR) is in it's 'educational' mode. We ususally do this all in the month of November, but this year it will start in October and go through November.
An email was sent out asking members to please renew their membership with NCCAR, even if we will not be doing any legislation for the next year or so. Educating the masses takes money and a lot of it. Please go to our website and to the registration page to find out how to renew or become a new member if you are just finding out about us.
October 9 - Transracial Adoption Support Group of Raleigh. We will be doing an adoption panel for over 20 adoptive parents. We have an Adoptive mother and her daughter who are in a very open adoption. We have a bi-racial birthmother who has just reunited with her daughter. We also have a Korean adoptee who will be joining us via Google Chat & video. Then there are two other adoptees also one found by her birthmother, and another who is no longer in reuinon with her birthmother.
October 14 - We will be showing the documentary on Adam Pertman to the Durham County DSS. We will also be doing some neat adoption exercises with the social workers, to try and help them 'GET IT'.
October 23 - BIG EVENT - This will be an ALL DAY event. Four adoption movies during the day, and then a big evening of music. Opening will be Jo Gore and the Alternatives from 7:00 - 7:30pm and then Mary Gauthier [Go-Shay] and Tania Elizabeth will perform. Mary is an adult adoptee, and will be singing from her new album "The Foundling". This event is $25.00 for the whole day, $10.00 for just the movies, and $15.00 for just the Music.
This is an RSVP event, so please go to our website and see how you can RSVP for this.
November 1 - NCCAR will start out showing Jean Strauss's - For the Life of Me to the DSS workers in Rowan County. Later that evening I will be showing 2 Niteline documentaries to the Davidson County DSS and Foster Parents. We have adoption related exercises which are done at most of our film viewings.
November 2 - NCCAR members will start out in Lincoln County showing two different documentaries one on foster care, then that night I will be in Polk County NC to show Foster Parents - Foster Care: Calling All Angels. Adoption exercises will be done with these group also
November 4 - Starts out in Onslow County showing to one of our favorite groups from last year, showing them 'For The Life of Me', and then showing the same movie to our other favorite group from last year Pitt County DSS. We will be doing some of our adoption exercises at each of these viewings.
November 5 - Has members of NCCAR in Mecklenburg County showing them the two Nightline Documentaries and our adoption related exercises.
November 7 - Triangle Adoption Support Group will see For the Life of Me - from 2:30 - 4:30 pm
November 9 - Adoption Triad Dialogue Support Group in Greensboro will be seeing For the Life of Me.
November 15 - NCCAR members will be back on the road to Gates County DSS to show them 'For the Life of Me' and doing adoption related exercises.
We still have a couple of Foster Parent groups which we may also be showing to during November.
As you can see we do a lot of traveling with our education, so if you feel so inclined, please go to our website and see how you can help us out with our costs. Our October 23 event is going to cost us quite a bit of our reserved cash.
If you know of any group you would like for us to come and educate about adoption, please contact us. We do this during anytime of the year, but National Adoption Awareness Month - November is always a great time to do it in. Please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will try to set up a time to accomodate you and your group.
An email was sent out asking members to please renew their membership with NCCAR, even if we will not be doing any legislation for the next year or so. Educating the masses takes money and a lot of it. Please go to our website and to the registration page to find out how to renew or become a new member if you are just finding out about us.
October 9 - Transracial Adoption Support Group of Raleigh. We will be doing an adoption panel for over 20 adoptive parents. We have an Adoptive mother and her daughter who are in a very open adoption. We have a bi-racial birthmother who has just reunited with her daughter. We also have a Korean adoptee who will be joining us via Google Chat & video. Then there are two other adoptees also one found by her birthmother, and another who is no longer in reuinon with her birthmother.
October 14 - We will be showing the documentary on Adam Pertman to the Durham County DSS. We will also be doing some neat adoption exercises with the social workers, to try and help them 'GET IT'.
October 23 - BIG EVENT - This will be an ALL DAY event. Four adoption movies during the day, and then a big evening of music. Opening will be Jo Gore and the Alternatives from 7:00 - 7:30pm and then Mary Gauthier [Go-Shay] and Tania Elizabeth will perform. Mary is an adult adoptee, and will be singing from her new album "The Foundling". This event is $25.00 for the whole day, $10.00 for just the movies, and $15.00 for just the Music.
This is an RSVP event, so please go to our website and see how you can RSVP for this.
November 1 - NCCAR will start out showing Jean Strauss's - For the Life of Me to the DSS workers in Rowan County. Later that evening I will be showing 2 Niteline documentaries to the Davidson County DSS and Foster Parents. We have adoption related exercises which are done at most of our film viewings.
November 2 - NCCAR members will start out in Lincoln County showing two different documentaries one on foster care, then that night I will be in Polk County NC to show Foster Parents - Foster Care: Calling All Angels. Adoption exercises will be done with these group also
November 4 - Starts out in Onslow County showing to one of our favorite groups from last year, showing them 'For The Life of Me', and then showing the same movie to our other favorite group from last year Pitt County DSS. We will be doing some of our adoption exercises at each of these viewings.
November 5 - Has members of NCCAR in Mecklenburg County showing them the two Nightline Documentaries and our adoption related exercises.
November 7 - Triangle Adoption Support Group will see For the Life of Me - from 2:30 - 4:30 pm
November 9 - Adoption Triad Dialogue Support Group in Greensboro will be seeing For the Life of Me.
November 15 - NCCAR members will be back on the road to Gates County DSS to show them 'For the Life of Me' and doing adoption related exercises.
We still have a couple of Foster Parent groups which we may also be showing to during November.
As you can see we do a lot of traveling with our education, so if you feel so inclined, please go to our website and see how you can help us out with our costs. Our October 23 event is going to cost us quite a bit of our reserved cash.
If you know of any group you would like for us to come and educate about adoption, please contact us. We do this during anytime of the year, but National Adoption Awareness Month - November is always a great time to do it in. Please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will try to set up a time to accomodate you and your group.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A New Updated Confidential Intermediary Program
On October 1, 2010 North Carolina will implement a new phase to the Confidential Intermediary Program. The newlaw will now allow adult adoptees 18 years and older (no longer 21)to utilize the program. Full and half siblings will be able to utilize the program to search for an adoptee. Other family members of a deceased biological parent will be able to use the program. This new update will also allow anyone who searches to and finds a grave at the end of their search to be able to request a copy of the death certificate from the agency who performed the search.
We currently do not know if the agencies will uphold the last part for parties retroactively or not. It may be worth you trying to go back to the agency and requesting the death certificate.
In light of this, we would like to hear from those of you in North Carolina who have successfully or not so successfully utilized the program as it currently is.
Which agency did you use? Can you let us know how much they charged? Was this reasonable to you? Did the birthparent / adoptee want contact? If you are the adoptee, and the birthparent did not want contact, did the agency try to obtain updated medical information on your behalf? Any other information you would be willing to share with us would be most helpful.
Please keep us updated on your reunion if you have had one.
We currently do not know if the agencies will uphold the last part for parties retroactively or not. It may be worth you trying to go back to the agency and requesting the death certificate.
In light of this, we would like to hear from those of you in North Carolina who have successfully or not so successfully utilized the program as it currently is.
Which agency did you use? Can you let us know how much they charged? Was this reasonable to you? Did the birthparent / adoptee want contact? If you are the adoptee, and the birthparent did not want contact, did the agency try to obtain updated medical information on your behalf? Any other information you would be willing to share with us would be most helpful.
Please keep us updated on your reunion if you have had one.
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