Currently, over seven million Americans are from closed adoptions. This means, under no circumstances (even a life or death situation) are they able to obtain their original birth certificate, adoption records, or biological medical information. Some, as well, cannot obtain a passport because they were adopted after age one and Homeland Security does not consider any amended birth certificate filed after age one prior to 2000 to be valid, making many older adopted people unable to have proof of citizenship putting them at risk for losing their jobs, being unable to travel, and more.adoption
People from closed adoptions are four times more likely to commit suicide than the average population, which already has a suicide crisis. Birthmothers, after losing or placing their child in a closed adoption (and open adoptions did not exist before 1990), are three times more likely to become drug addicts. These sad facts need to be told no matter how depressing. Currently, bill A2901 is being argued in the New York State Congress and adoptee rights’ bills in other states. While nearly all legislators are in support of A2901, which would give adopted adults here in New York access to their records and original certificates, one woman, Helene Weinstein, stands in the way of bringing equality. In Texas, 500,000 people were denied equality this past May because of one woman, Donna Campbell.
It should not be allowed that only one person denies the right to thousands of people, especially when this inhumane, archaic law is destroying lives, and it’s my hope she (Weinstein) has a heart this time and changes her mind unlike what her previous voting record shows.
Just imagine you are suffering from a genetic disorder, but you and your doctor cannot obtain biological medical information. Few adopted people are lucky to discover their heritage. Being cut off from one’s roots is a human rights violation. Imagine you’re a law abiding adult, but denied a passport because your adoption wasn’t finalized until after age one. The myth of privacy continues to be permeated. This is why privacy is a complete lie.
1. Throughout the 20th century babies of Jewish, Irish, Native American, Metis, and unwed women were stolen. Girls and women who wanted to keep their child were threatened. These birthmothers want to meet their children again.
2. While some birthmothers did choose adoption, many were lied to by adoption agencies saying they could contact their child at age 18 or 21, which isn’t true. Closed cases can’t contact each other because they can’t receive information on each other.
3. Birthmothers did not ask for privacy, especially those whose children were taken. The US had a history of black market adoptions such as the Georgia Tann scheme.
4. After WWII, around 2,000 not truly orphaned Irish children were stolen out of Ireland to be “adopted” by wealthy American families. These now elderly Irish Americans and their disconnected family back in Ireland did not ask for privacy. They deserve to have their Irish identity and Irish passports given back to them now.
5. In the few states that are truly open, the few provinces that are truly open, and open countries, meaning adopted people have can full access to all records upon adulthood, the rate of birthparents asking for privacy through either an opt-out or opt-in method is astronomically small. For example, in Maine, it is less than 1%. In Manitoba, Canada of about 50,000 birthmothers only 60 have asked for privacy. Fully accessibly equality for adopted people in the Netherlands has also been working extraordinarily well. Heavy fines are in places ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for those who contact members who wish to be left alone, but this hasn’t been an issue.
6. If a baby is given up for adoption and that child ends up growing up in foster care he or she will have access to their records and original birth certificate until they are adopted and the adoption is finalized, making the idea of privacy a complete lie.
7. In open states and open provinces such as Maine, Alabama, Ohio and Alberta, Canada anyone who wants privacy has their first name removed.
Am I against adoption? Certainly not. I have worked with severely at-risk children and youth and many needed to be adopted into non abusive, non drug addicted loving homes. I hope some day, when my finances and health are better, that I can adopt a child from the US foster system. No, I am not against adoption of a child, but I am against lies and inhumane practices. Bill A2901 is being contested now. If my fellow readers believe in equality they will contact the US President, their governors, and their legislators and politely demand that every state be an open access state for adoptees.
Megan DePerro
I am female, bisexual, and adopted. I have three unnecessary strikes against me.
Dear Megan,
Thanks for your brilliant summary of the situation most of us U.S. adoptees face. I was born in Brooklyn 66 years ago and adopted at birth and have been searching for years. I’d like to know something before I die.