BASTARD NATION STATEMENT ON HAITIAN ADOPTIONS AND "BABYLIFTS"
The rush to relocate orphans, quasi-orphans, and potential
orphans internationally is ripe for coercion and fraud. Adoption
agencies, church agencies, and ministries especially - along with
fraudulent and predatory agents - have much to gain from fast
removal. The trafficking of Haitian children for sex, servitude,
and adoption operated in Haiti before the quake. It certainly
operates now. The unethical and possibly unlawful mass transfer
of traumatized children, many with family status unknown, to
foreign shelters, foster care, and adoption agencies, removed
from their culture and language, with little hope of family
reunification cannot be allowed or tolerated. We urge US State
Department and other US authorities in Haiti to (1) remove
private special interests and those with conflicts of interest,
such as adoption agencies and ministries, from the child welfare
decision-making process and (2) halt the evacuation of children
and their placement for adoption in the US.
Read more >
VICTORY!
Bastard National Rep. Janet Allen of New Hampshire (center) poses with Senator Lou D'Allesandro (left) and Rep. Mike Whalley (right) following passage of SB-335, which opened records unconditionally to New Hampshire's adult adoptees.
Bastard Nation rejoices this week over the implementation of the new open records law in New Hampshire. Bastard Nation Executive Chair, Marley Greiner, will be present in Concord on Monday, January 3rd, for the opening day celebrations as adult adoptees born and adopted in New Hampshire regain unconditional access to their original birth certificates. Congratulations to all of the activists who helped make this happen and tremendous thanks and gratitude to bill sponsor and adoptive father, Senator Lou D'Allesandro.
For more information, see Bastard Nation's New Hampshire information page, which includes a new statement on this important victory.
 OREGON'S MEASURE 58 ON FILM!!
Measurable Rights: The Fight for Open Records in Oregon is a film that tells how Helen Hill and Bastard Nation used Oregon's Ballot Measure 58 to open sealed birth certificates for all of Oregon's adult adoptees. Hill's Initiative turned into a civil rights battle that caused a sea of change in adoption laws across the country. Filmmaker Paul Fournier captures the very essence of grassroots activism as he follows Helen and Bastard Nation from the initiative's inception to it's ultimate victory in the courts. Bastards are viewed in intimate settings as they plan, learn, achieve voter support, and then fight court battles to set case precedent. "Measurable Rights "is inspiring and an essential teaching tool for all adoptee rights activists!
Watch the trailer, interact with the reformers, and order your DVD copy
TODAY!
http://www.measurablerights.com
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OUR MISSION
FOR ADOPTEE RIGHTS
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.
THE UNITED STATES ACCORDING TO BASTARD NATION
The BASTARDIZED states of Alaska, Oregon, Kansas, Alabama, New Hampshire
and Maine are the only U.S. states where adult adoptees have unrestricted access to their own original birth records! Join the fight to stamp the seal of supreme Bastardy on the rest of the nation!!
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"AS MAINE GOES, SO GOES THE NATION"
A news conference was held at the Statehouse in Maine on November 17, 2008,
to introduce the new law that allows adopted adults access to their original
birth certificates. Starting January 2, 2009, adults who were adopted in
the state of Maine will have unconditional access to their original birth
certificates at the state office of Vital Records.
LD 1084, the adoptee rights bill, had an extremely strong sponsor, Rep.
David Farrington, and the quiet personal lobbying of adoptee Sen. Paula
Benoit to shepherd it through with non-partisan support. Benoit's dignified
presentation for records access is credited by friends and foes of access
with keeping the debate from the bitterness and acrimony that marked last
year's circus.
Governor John Baldacci signed the bill into law on Monday, June, 25, 2008. For
further information Maine adoptees may contact:
Office of Vital Statistics
Department of Human Services
221 State St, Station 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207) 287-3181
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BN Action Alerts