COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION PROTEST

MAY 14, 1999

(This feature first appeared in the Spring 1999 issue of the Bastard Quarterly.)

Intro. By Marley Elizabeth Greiner

This is the first time in memory that any group has ever come to the NCFA--the largest anti-adoptee lobby in the US and actually confronted it and its Director, Dr. William Pierce on its own ground. We're not deluding ourselves that The Face of Bastardy is going to turn around NCFA policy. No, we are here today to send a message to the NCFA and anti-adoptee organizations throughout the country which believe it is OK to deny adopted persons the same rights that they have, that it is NOT OK. That we are here to stay and they'd better get used to it.

There are those inside the adoption reform movement who say that Bastard Nation's tactics will not work. We received an email last night from someone--an adoptee no less-- who believes that this show of bodies here today will harm the fight for open records. She called us "whiners." Said that "this action will ensure that we will continued to be thought of as 'adopted children'." She went on to imply that 20 years of adoption deform, which has not passed one significant--or even insignificant--piece of legislation which restores the right of adoptees to their own birth records, is the better way. "While you're all out there in front of NCFA acting out, Pierce will be in the offices of his Congressional buddies stroking the old boy network which will continue to keep adoptees prisoners in the locked filing cabinets of sealed records. The difference is striking and could explain why Pierce is effective and BN is not."

We have two words to say about this: Illinois and Oregon.

Illinois:last week, the Illinois Senate passed HB 631 which will make searching in Illinois, without the express consent of the Illinois government, a crime by which searching adoptees or those who help them, even volunteers, will be subject to a $10,000 fine to be paid directly to a birth parent who did not wish to be located. Since the Adoption Industry has traditionally portrayed birthparents as "trailer park trash " this should come in quite handy. This demeaning and infantalizing legislation--the language, by the way, which is straight out of the NCFA-supported and endorsed Uniform Adoption Act, was not the work of Dr. Pierce and the NCFA but of established adoption reformers. This is our critic's way. The old way.

Oregon: In November 1998 the people of the state of Oregon passed by a 57% majority a Ballot Measure which will restore the right of all adults adopted in that state to access their state-held records without restriction. Bastard Nation wrote the proposal and developed the outreach coalition which helped get it passed. This is Bastard Nation's way. The new way.

The fight for open records is not about reunion. It's about rights: the right to your own birth certificate. The right to your heritage. The right to enjoy the same access to birth records as any non-adopted person.

The Bastards in the Belly of the Beast Exorcism/Rally was a tremendous success! We got quite a few looks on the Metro, decked out in our BN garb and making a MAJOR fashion statement. Exiting the Metro at Dupont Circle, we unfurled our Bastards in the Belly of the Beast Banner (emblazoned with Bill Pierce's picture with a line drawn through it) and marched proudly behind it as we walked the few blocks to the lair of the Beast, chanting "Hey, Hey, Billy P! Why are you afraid of ME?" The NCFA is in a semi-residential area and there was no marching room on the sidewalk in front of the building, so we stood in a semi-circle facing it. On the front gate leading to the townhouse was the top of a cardboard xerox paper box, and on it was a hand-written message stating that due to a planned demonstration, anyone having business with

the NCFA should not come to the office, but rather call them and make an appointment. The note ended with a warning about trespassing on their property. It was signed "Bill Pierce." The shades in the building were drawn (they hadn't been earlier in the day), so we pictured him cowering inside. Cyn Holub led the crowd in chanting "NCFA is anti-adoptee," "Our records, our rights," and other rousing slogans, after which Marley Greiner gave a speech detailing the nefarious anti-adoptee activities of the NCFA. Members of the National Council of Birthmothers were there with their banner as well, and they and other birthmothers told everyone within listening distance that they did not want Bill's "protection". Among the birthmothers were Terri Leber of the NCOB, Alicia Lanier of TxCARE, and Mary Anne Cohen, Debbie

Keegan and Sheila Ganz of BN. John Peret and Mary Hunt gave stirring, crowd-pleasing speeches. Two adoptive fathers spoke, one of whom, Kees Springer, had traveled all the way from New Zealand, as had Betty Ann Kelly, who spoke as well. Adoptive father Alex Wolfson capped his remarks by turning to the building and asking very loudly, "Bill, are you insane?" in reference to Pierce's statement that open records would lead to a breakdown in discipline in adoptive families.

Several police cars gathered to monitor the situation; we were soon fraternizing with them. A disgruntled neighbor was not impressed with the noise of the demonstration and wasn't happy with our explanation that we would be gone in an hour. He stuck his stereo speakers in his window and cranked up Guns N' Roses as loud as it would go. It didn't have the desired effect, however; instead, it really pumped up the crowd, who

started dancing, much to the amusement of the police across the street, and, we hoped, to Bill's dismay.

It was during this ritual of heavy metal music and dancing that Marley, aka Judge Judy, complete with black robe and lace trim, successfully exorcised the Beast and read his indictment for violating the rights of

adult adoptees and perpetuating the climate of shame for all triad members. Bill (in absentia) was presented with a large BN check for two cents -- the check comments stating that it was for "consulting fees." We

left the indictment, check, and a BN T-shirt with a Beasty Bill pin on it for the Beast. A real Bastard Nation Moment was had by all.

We are gathered here today in a show of strength and unity to protest the actions of this organization called the NCFA. We come together as adoptees, as birthparents, adoptive parents and especially as Bastards to make a resounding statement to this organization that we liken to a Beast.

The NCFA is a beast that uses fear-mongering, scare tactics and outright lies to keep the state of sealed records intact and our constitutional rights denied. It is a beast that blatantly discriminates against adoptees simply based on the status of their birth. This type of discrimination arrogantly and defiantly goes against the very nature of the Constitution of the United States of America. I specifically refer to the fourteenth amendment which says, in essence, that no state has the right to deny its citizens equal protection and due process, nor does it have the right to restrict the freedoms or privileges as guaranteed to us by this historic and powerful document.

It is a meaningful step that we take this day by letting the NCFA know we will not longer tolerate their actions. We will no longer be oppressed. We will no longer be shackled by the chains of discrimination with which the NCFA seeks to fetter all adoptees.

We make a statement today to the NCFA that their actions are unacceptable. We, as members of this free and democratic society, choose to make our stand here. The time has come. The time has come to show the NCFA, and the rest of the world that Bastard Nation is here to stay. The time has come for us to show everyone that we are loud, proud and empowered! This is our time. Our weapons in this battle are truth and justice, our strength is the passion of our convictions and we are armed to the teeth.

We have come to the dragon's lair and we are at the foot of the cave. Bastard Nation is here, Bill, and we are not going away. There is no escaping this time. Nothing else stands between us. Bastard Nation is here, Bill, and you've got hell to pay.

Bastards, birthparents, supporters of adoptee rights: This is a staredown - and we will not blink.

We know who are enemy is in this fight for the restoration of the constitutional rights of adoptees. We face them today in the very heart of their lair.

Our enemy uses lies and misdirection to further the misconception that adoptees are shameful, dangerous, not to be trusted with the same rights as our peers. To this we say "You are wrong." We state emphatically that we will not, can not stand by and remain silent while Bill Pierce, paid lobbyist, non-adoptee, non birthparent, non adoptive parent, undermines our standing as full and equal citizens of the United

States with flawed rhetoric and bald-faced lies.

Today we stare the beast full in the eye, unafraid, unashamed, fully convinced that we shall prevail in our fight for truth and justice. We can not be swayed or removed from our course of action by its appearance of power and strength - this beast thrives on making people believe that it is substantial, when in truth it is not. The so-called "National" Council for Adoption represents less than five percent of the adoption agencies in the US. They are little more than a store-front facade that hides behind its lovely shingles a dusty, empty room.

(This feature first appeared in the Spring 1999 issue of the Bastard Quarterly.)

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