NO BAD SEEDS ALLOWED! Ohio Vital Statistics, Columbus, where original birth certificates are locked in a vault. Even VS employees can't enter the vault without authorization.
BEAohio's goal is to break those locks, chains and seals. Every person born and adopted in the State of Ohio deserves their own birth certificate, just like the not-adopted. The right of identity belongs to everyone!
BE GRATEFUL!
Even in the days of orphanges and childrens homes Ohio adoptees did not lose their right to identity nor were their records sealed.Some today tell us to shut up and be grateful we weren't sent to one of these places...or worse! Go to the slide show below and see your "fate."
TECH PROBLEMS! WILL BE UP SOON!
OHIO'S MOST FAMOUS FIRST FAMILY..or so the story goes...
Unwed parents: President Warren G. Harding (1919) and Florence Kling Harding (1880).
I'd like to meet:
Anyone can become a BEA friend, but we are inviting particularly anyone with an Ohio adoption connection who believes in the unalienable right of all adoptees to their identities and public records of their births--that adopted persons are legally equal to the not-adopted. We want people who will visit, write call, fax, and email Ohio legislators and demand that adoptees be treated equally
Compromise is in the air. We need you not only to work for passage of HB 7 as written, but support those who go to the mattress for adoptees. They need to know they aren't alone and have the backing of the the adoptee rights community.
And don't forget the 1996 adoptees with vetoes who aren't old enough yet to speak for themselves. We don't want to be asked years later, "Why did you leave me behind?"
Leave no one behind!
If you are an Ohio adoptee, a parent who relinquished or adopted in Ohio, a current resident of Ohio adopted in another state, involved in adoption--or just believe in adoptee equality, then join us. Please drop us line and let us know your Ohio connection. a good email addy, the Ohio city most representative of your situation so we can have show legislators that people all over Ohio care, and how you'd like to help us.
We are looking for parents who surrendered in Ohio. If you are one of them, have your documents, and would be willing to share them with us, we'd appreciate it.
We hope to have a regular webpage up soon, but in the meantime please stop by for regular updates.
BUCKS for EQUAL ACCESS REPRESENTING OHIO ADOPTEES, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FROM (so far!)
Akron
Brunswick
Cambridge
Centerville
Cincinnati
Circleville
Clarksville
Cleveland
Columbus
Concord
Dayton
Delaware
Fairborn
Findlay
Fostoria
Health
Hudson
Lakemore
Medina
Middletown
Milford
New Lexington
Plain City
Toledo
Westerville
Youngstown
A DAY FOR ADOPTEE RIGHTS : July 22, 2008, NEW ORLEANS
Music:
Until 1964 all Ohio adoptees had a right to their identity and birth records. Adoptees born since January 1, 1964 do not have that right. At least 150,000 adopted persons are disenfranchised by the State of Ohio which has sealed their birth certificates--the public record of their births...Dreaming of what used to be.
BEAUTIFUL OHIO
Drifting with the current down a moonlit stream,
While above the Heavens in their glory gleam,
And the stars on high
Twinkle in the sky,
Seeming in a paradise divine,
Dreaming of a pair of eyes that looked in mine.
Beautiful Ohio, in dreams again I see
Visions of what used to be.
Movies:
Measurable Rights: the Fight for Open Records in Oregon is a documentary by Paul R. Fournier. In Paul's words, the film is
"the story of Helen Hill, who used Oregon’s Ballot Measure 58 to open sealed birth certificates for adult adoptees. Her initiative turned into a civil rights battle
that caused a sea of change in adoption laws across the country."
Unlocking the Heart of Adoption a documentary by first mom activist Sheila Ganz. It's been shown on numerous PBS stations and film festivals, and is used to educate legislators and the public about adoptee issues and records access.
Books:
ACTIVISM 101
Activist's Handbook: A Primer for the 1990s and Beyond by Randy Skinner. The book that helped launch the Oregon Ballot Initiative. An invaluable resource for anyone working for social change.
Rules for Radicals: A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals by Saul Alinsky. The classic activist guidebook that never grows old.
Adoption Politics, Bastard Nation and Mesaure 58 by E. Wayne Carp.
Read the in-depth story of how Helen Hill, Bastard Nation and the people of Oregon defeated adoption industry lies and restored the right of records and identity for Oregon adoptees.
ADOPTION
Adoption Mystique by Joanne Wolf Small. Joanne says it all! A short but outstanding analysis of adoption secrecy and why we need our records restored to us. The book is a finalist in the social change category for the 2007 National Best Books Awards sponsored by USA BookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses.
The Baby Thief: the Untold Story of Georgia Tan the Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption by Barbara Bisanz Raymond. The story of Georgia Tann who worked her evil with the full knowledge of courts, social workers, and politicians. Between 1924 and 1950 she arranged 5000 "adoptions"--many of them of children she'd kidnapped or obtained by other illegal or unethical means. Raymond argues convincingly that Tann instituted the sealed records system that all but a handful of states practice today, in order to hide her illegal activities. Publishers Weekly named the book one of the top 20 non-fiction books of 2007.
Growing in the Dark: Adoption Secrecy and Its Consequences by Janine Baer. Learn the history of sealed records in California. Every sealed state needs a book like this.
For the Records: The Restorial of A Right to Adult Adoptees published by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institiute, November 2007. This report calls for the restoration of the right of sealed birth records to all adult adoptees.
Fumbling Toward Divinity: The Adoption Scriptures by Craig Hickman, a finalist in the 2006 Lambda Book Awards, is a stunning memoir about growing up adopted, black and queer. Craig's letter to the State of Wisconsin is worth the price of the book!
Betty Jean Lifton has probably done more than anyone to bring adoptees into the political arena. Her Twice Born: Memoirs of an Adopted Daughter was recently reissued. This and her other books Journey of the Adopted Self: A Quest for Wholeness and Lost and Found: The Adoption Experience have nurtured a generation. You can't miss with BJ!
The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade is essential reading for equal access advocates. An expert debunking of the myth of first mother “anonymity.â€
Beggars and Choosers: How the Politics of Choice Shapes Adoption, Abortion, and Welfare in the United States --a great companion piece to TGWWA.
Family Matters: Secrecy and Disclosure in the History of Adoption by E. Wayne Carp. We disagree with some of the conclusions, but this is essential reading for those who want to know how adoption came to the secret sorry state it is today.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
The National Council for Adoption is the largest and most powerful anti-adoptee lobby in the US. It was founded in 1980 with Texas oil money for the sole purpose of keeping records sealed (under the guise of "promoting adoption"). NCFA's
Factbook 3 is a treasure trove of the stereotype, mis-and dis-information, and propaganda about adopted persons and their rights that has saturated legislators and policy makers for decades.
FB 3 replacement, Factbook 4, was released Suummer 2007. It's a lot tamer, but should be an essential part of your activist library. You must know your enemy. If you want to open your records you need this information! Also read NCFA's Birthmother, Good Mother booklet while you're at it.
FB4 and BMGM can be ordered online from NCFA; FB3 is downloadable on its site. Go here
OHIO OPEN RECORDS MEDIA REPORTS
Gongwer News Service , (Statehouse news service) Jan. 10, 2008 reporting on HB7 first hearing.
Canton Repository, January 27, 2009 . 40 Years of Separation: Woman Seeks Last of 6 Siblings Split by Adoption.
Cleveland Plain Dealer , April 20, 2008, "Betsie Norris' Quest..." and at Adoptee Rights News Blog.
BUCKEYE BLOGGERS
Adoptee Rights News Blog
Baby Love Child --Ohio black holer
Daily Bastardette
Birth-First Parent Blog.com
This Woman's Work
Heroes:
ADOPTEE CITIZEN HEROS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS
GOT RECORDS? MAX DOES!
Every adoptee who stands up and says "I'm tired as hell and I'm not taking it anymore!" Every adoptee who sacrifices time, money, sleep, job, family,and friends to restore the right of identity to adopted persons. Every first family, every adoptive family, friend, and every politician who who says "Enough is enough! No more secrets! No more lies!" All those tireless workers across the country who work constantly, without thanks or recognition, for us!
Jean Paton, adoptee. The "Mother of Adoptee Rights," Jean worked for 60 years and never gave up the fight.
Betty Jean Lifton, adoptee. Activist, author of Journey of the Adopted Self and other adoptee-empowering books. BJ introduced a generation of adoptees to the idea that it's OK to demand the right to our identities.
OREGON
Helen Hill,adoptee.
Petitioner for Oregon's Ballot Measure 58. Helen made history by taking our rights to the people...and winning...making Oregon the first state in the US to rescind anti-adoptee laws. She also put sealed records on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Shea Grimm, theorist and activist. Shea created a rights based argument that wins. She worked tirelessly in Oregon to put our rights over the top
ALABAMA
David Ansardi, Sandra Pears-Wilson, adoptees; AWARE; Rep. Jeff Dolabare, not-adopted who took on that most conservative of states and won. Alabama Rep. Dolabare had an adoptee in his family, and he cared.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Sen. Lou D'allesandro, adoptive father;Rep. Janet Allen, adoptee; and the adoptees, first parents, and adoptive parents who kept the vision, making New Hampshire the third state to restore adoptee rights.
MAINE
OBC for ME/Access Maine; Rep. David Farrington, and Sen. Julia Benoit, adoptee, who brought unexpected to the state.
STATISTICS
Kansas and Alaska have never sealed records. Since 1998 4 states have restored the right of birth certificate access: Oregon through the ballot initiative and Alabama and New Hampshire through repeal legislation. In 2007 the Maine legislature re-opened records, but the law will not go into effect until January 1, 2009. Below are unofficial statistics on those states. (There are no stats on Kansas and Alaska).
OREGON
May 31, 2000-January 16, 2008
Records sent: 9,267
Contact preference forms submitted by birthparents: 503
Number asking for contact with adoptee: 391
Number asking for contact through an intermediary: 29
Number asking for no contact: 85
SOURCE: Oregon Center for Health Statistics
NEW HAMPSHIRE
January 4, 2005-April 5, 2008
Records ordered: 1097
Contact preference forms submitted by birthparents: 56
Number asking for contact with adoptee: 37
Number asking for contact through an intermediary: 7
Number asking for no contact: 12
SOURCE: New Hampshire Department of State Division of Vital Records Administration
ALABAMA
May 15, 2000-February 14, 2007
At this time no statistics are published. According to the February 14, 2007 Birmingham News 3,885 adoptees have requested their birth certificates.
SOURCE: Dorothy Harshbarger, State Registrar for Vital Records.
Unofficial total for the free states of Oregon, New Hampshire and Alabama:
May 31, 2000-January 16,2008
Records sent: 14,249
Contact preference forms submitted by birthparents: 559
Number asking for contact with adoptee: 428
Number asking for contact through an intermediary: 36
Number asking for no contact: 133
