Our Mission

Bastard Nation advocates for the civil and human rights of adult citizens who were adopted as children. Millions of North Americans are prohibited by law from accessing personal records that pertain to their historical, genetic and legal identities. Such records are held by their governments in secret and without accountability, due solely to the fact that they were adopted.
Bastard Nation campaigns for the restoration of their right to access their records. The right to know one’s identity is primarily a political issue directly affected by the practice of sealed records adoptions. Please join us in our efforts to end a hidden legacy of shame, fear and venality.

Group Fights For Equal Access

Group fights for equal access

Adoption records

October 4, 1998

By Mary Mogan Edwards
Dispatch Staff Reporter

Adult members of Bastard Nation know that at least part of the reason for keeping adoption records secret traditionally has been to protect adoptees from the shame of illegitimate birth.

As their name suggests, they don’t worry about that stigma.

“We’re saying, ‘We don’t care,’ ” said Pamela Zaebst, who was adopted as an infant and spent years trying to find out the circumstances of her birth. “We know most of us were born to unwed parents, and we see no shame in that. We just want the same information that’s available to any other citizen.”

Far more important, members say, is the right of everyone to know exactly when and where they were born and who their parents are, as well as the practical necessity of knowing one’s family medical history.

Bastard Nation members set up a table yesterday at Borders Books & Music store on the Northwest Side to offer help to anyone who might want to find out about family members who have been separated by adoption or divorce. … Continue Reading