LegWatch - Fall98

This is an archive of the original Bastard Quarterly newsletter, edited by Damsel Plum and Charles Filius. It was published in print and on the web between 1997 and 2002.

LegWatch
by Shea Grimm sheag@oz.net

(This feature first appeared in the Fall 1998 issue of the Bastard Quarterly.)

Alabama

Alabama is unique in that records were not sealed in that state
until 1991, which dismantles much of the opposition's claims of
"past promises". Alabama Adoptee activist David Ansardi has
formed Open Records!, a group dedicated to unconditional open
records legislation. Open Records! intends to introduce legislation
in the very near future. For more information, visit the Alabama
Open Records! Website at www.scott.net/~dansardi/openrec.html or email
trusthseekers@bigfoot.com

California

California activists continue laying the groundwork for the
introduction of adoptee rights legislation in the year 2000. California
director of CA Open 2000 Ron Morgan has surveyed legislators on
their opinions of open records legislation, and received largely
positive results. California BN members regularly meet in both the
Bay Area and in Southern California. For more information on Open
2000 or BN California meetings, please contact Ron Morgan at
open2000@ryzome.com 415-647-2417 www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/3441

Illinois

The Illinois Coalition for Truth in Adoption, headed by birthmother
Melisha Mitchell, continues to attempt to push legislation
abrogating the rights of adoptees. Several ICTA members have
resigned in disgust and have joined an IL adoptee rights
organization, ACT NOW!, dedicated to adoptee rights and
unconditional access of our records. Gregory Beach, founder of
ACT NOW! and former ICTA Board member, intends to introduce
adoptee rights legislation in the upcoming session. In contrast,
ICTA continues to insist on resurrecting their omnibus "reform" bill
that will expand IL's confidential intermediary system and create an
even larger bureaucracy for adoptees and birthparents. IL triadians
have written dozens of letters in opposition to ICTA's efforts, but
they have thus far refused to listen. Visit the ACT NOW! Website
at www.prairienet.org/actnow/ or email act-now@prairienet.org. for
information on how to defeat ICTA's efforts to set back adoptee rights
and support ACT NOW!'s unconditional access legislation.

Oregon

As noted in a full-length article in this edition of the BQ, for the first
time in the history of our nation, a measure which opens records to
adult adoptees was approved In November of this year by the voters
of Oregon. Activist, adoptee, and artist Helen Hill was the Chief
Petitioner of the measure, as well as Bastard Nation's Oregon
State Director, and she has worked tirelessly along with a
dedicated group of Oregon volunteers, to bring this issue directly to
the people. Measure 58 is a simple initiative which will open
original birth certificates to adoptees age 21 or older. As we go to
press, the Measure is scheduled to go into effect on December
3rd. However, Bill Pierce of the National Council for Adoption has
vowed a court challenge which could stop the Measure from taking
immediate effect while the case is heard. Oregon adoptees should
contact the Oregon Department of Vital Records at 503-731-4095
for information on how to obtain their original birth certificates.

Ballot initiatives are an effective tool to seek justice when all too
often the legislature is no place to find it, but it is also expensive.
Helen funded the initiative largely on her own. It is time for the
adoption reform community to get involved and give back to Helen,
both as a thank you for her sacrifice and dedication and so that
others will be inspired to carry the message of open records for
adult adoptees across the entire United States. To help retire the
Measure 58 debt we all owe Helen, please contact her at
henry@pdx.oneworld.com or phone 503-368-5786. www.plumsite.com/oregon/

Texas

TXCARE, an organization headed by birthmother Alicia Lanier, has
introduced a bill, HB 13, that will give adoptees access to their
original birth certificates. Bastard Nation is pleased that Texas is
the next state to consider unconditional access for adult adoptees.
However, TxCare has not expressed their intention to withdraw the
bill should veto clauses be added, therefore at this time Bastard
Nation cannot endorse or assist in the TxCare effort.

With the passage of Measure 58 in Oregon, we hope that adoption
activists will recognize that unconditional access is not only
possible, it is the only kind of legislation that serves the dignity and
rights of adoptees. Just as importantly, it is simply good activist
strategy to decide as an organization what you will and will not
accept should amendments be proposed to your legislation.
Legislative sponsors must be made aware of your organization's
position on common amendments. As we have seen in Delaware,
activists can be used to lobby an unconditional bill only to see it
turned into a veto bill at the last minute by less-than-honest
compromisers of adoptee rights. Unless and until TxCare issues a
statement expressing their intent to pull the bill if vetoes are added,
we urge caution in supporting the legislation. www.txcare.org
feedback@txcare.org

Washington

Activists in Washington are planning to reintroduce bills this legislative
session in both the Senate and House that will open original birth
certificates to adult adoptees. In the 1998 legislative session these bills
passed out of their respective committees, but failed to make it onto the
floor for a vote. If you would like to participate in WA State open
records, please email Shea Grimm at sheag@oz.net or phone 425-883-7293.

(This feature first appeared in the Fall 1998 issue of the Bastard Quarterly.)