Missouri Update

Update from Paula Benoit:

I just returned from Missouri after two weeks working with State Legislators and a grassroots group. It was overwhelmingly obvious that the Right to Life and the Catholic Conference run the state legislature. Every Legislator I spoken with made reference to both groups at some point in the conversation. While they may not accept money from either group, they definitely are afraid of loosing their support at election time. Representative Cynthia Davis and Senator Rita Days are the sponsors of legislation being discussed currently and both of these Legislators understand the importance of original identity with no compromises. I offer a sincere thank you to both for standing strong for Missouri born adoptees.

The grassroots group I met and worked with is ready to change the way Adoptee Access is talked about from now on. They have made a commitment to keeping phrases and messages brief and directly to the point, my platform on adoptee access from the beginning.

1 Original Identity is a basic human right.
2 Every adult adoptee deserves access to their original birth certificate, same as non-adopted persons have.
3 The Government should never be in the business of sealing a person's identity, under any circumstances.
4 No adoptee will be left behind.

These four sentences repeated over and over again will become gospel just as the opposition has made gospel of their chant, "birth mother's were promised privacy." Yes the adoption agencies did perhaps offer confidentiality, but at NO TIME could they speak or offer anonymity on behalf of the State Government. Try as the opposition might to perpetuate this myth, studies now show birth mother's never wanted the privacy that the agencies were offering! They thought it was privacy from public stigma NOT from their surrendered child.

It is interesting that the Right to Life will go to any length to remove a woman's right to choice regarding her pregnancy; yet when reminded that states allowing adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates have a substantiality higher rate of adoption compared to abortion, they still will not support adoptee access. Same goes for the Catholic Conference. It would make sense for both groups to support adoptee access and prove beyond a doubt that they are honestly concerned for the baby's welfare and not just their agenda to oppose abortion.

Congratulations to the Missouri Grassroots Group - you all are doing great work. It was a pleasure working with you.
Paula Benoit

Latest Stats from the Maine Registrar of Vital Statistics since Maine born adoptees have had access to their original Birth Certificates

Here are the latest stats received from the Maine Registrar of Vital Statistics since Maine born adoptees have had access to their original birth certificates on January 2nd, 2009.  542 requests for adoptee original birth certificates from 33 states and 3 foreign countries in just 3 months; male adoptees -192, female -350.
 
The Registrar has been contacted by 24 biological parents: 23 biological mothers and 1 biological father. Fourteen of the mothers requested contact, 7 requested no contact, one did not express a preference, and one submitted a medical history form only.  The biological father requested no contact, but submitted a medical history form.  Fifteen of the biological mothers submitted medical history forms.
 
Original identity is a basic human right.  Thank God, Maine born adoptees never have to wonder who they and where they come from.
 
Paula Benoit
http://www.adopteecare.com ]www.adopteecare.com
 

Greetings from Missouri,

I am walking the halls of the Capital in Jefferson City, speaking with as many Legislators as possible about the importance of all adult adoptees having access to their original birth certificates.  The grassroots group has their work cut out for them since they are up against the Catholic Church and the Right to Life Lobbyists.  Theses men get paid "big bucks" to lobby the Legislators against a bill currently pending allowing access, and what is even more disturbing is that the majority of the Legislators here in Missouri are under the financial thumb of the Catholic Church and Right to Life Groups. 
 
Representative Cynthia Davis is the House lead sponsor and is being beat to death by her own Republican party because of her stand on equal rights for adoptees, having what all non-adopted persons have, access to their original birth certificate.  Senator Rita Days is holding fast in the Senate with her bill allowing access, but she is a Democrat in a Republican majority and her bill will never see daylight on the Senate floor.  Very sad, she is a great supporter. 
 
My hope is that the Legislators learn from the grassroots members who are here walking the halls with me, and take action because it is the right and just thing to do, instead of hiding behind their churches and lobbyist who are donating to their campaigns. 
 
Original identity is a basic human right and every adoptee should have their original birth certificate.  I will never understand what part of that simple sentence legislators do not understand.  Shame on all Missouri legislators who keep birth mother hiding in shame, adoptive parents buried in needless worry that their adopted child will love someone more than them, and for keeping adult adoptees oppressed and unable to receive their original birth certificate. 
 
Education is key to moving this legislation along.  Good work is being done here in Missouri by grassroots adoption triad members, particularly Ina Lewis and Caroline Pooler.  Well done faithful adoptee warriors!!
 
Paula Benoit
[ http://www.adopteecare.com ]www.adopteecare.com
Adoptee Council for Adoption Reform Education

Greetings from Missouri,

Former Maine State Senator Paula Benoit has success in New York!

Former Maine State Senator Paula Benoit has success in New York!

After a week of visiting offices of New York State Senators and Assemblymembers, former Maine State Senator, Paula Benoit is feeling very successful. Her message is simple, every adoptee has a basic human right to their original birth certificate, and she is taking her message to states considering legislation providing adult adoptees access.

In 1935, adoption birth certificates were sealed in New York, and now the legislature will debate whether adoptees born in New York are entitled to what every non-adopted citizen has, their original identity.

Senator Benoit was a co-sponsor on Maine’s legislation LD 1084 – An Act to Provide Adult Adoptees Access to Their Original Birth Certificates. The bill was passed and signed into law June 25, 2007, and has been receiving positive reports from the Office of Vital Records.

In Maine, birth certificates of all adopted children have been sealed since 1953 and on January 2, 2009 any adult adoptee born in Maine is able to have what all other non-adopted people have, their original birth certificates. Senator Benoit stayed all day at the Office of Vital Record on opening day to be of support to adoptees and other members of the adoption triad as they came forward to receive their birth certificates.

“It was a wonderful day of sharing laughter and tears of joy. Adoptive parents came to support their adult adopted children and were very happy they finally had access to what so many take for granted, their original identity. Two birth mothers were present and one stayed all day, hoping to look into the eyes of the son she surrendered 36 years before. She was sure she would recognize him, even after all these years. Sadly, he did not arrive on opening day.” Benoit reflected.

“The best part of this legislation is that it allows the adult adoptees to decide if they want to have their original birth certificate or not. Many do not have a need for any other birth certificate than the altered paper they received when they were adopted. This would only have their adoptive parents names listed as their parents with no mention of birth mother or father. For those who feel a need to understand their heritage and birth identity, it is freeing to know they can go to the Office of Vital Records and ask for a birth certificate and receive a paper that has their original information on it.” “The most important fact is that it is the adult adoptee’s choice. Not the birth parent, adoptive parent or the Government’s decision as to whether the adoptees have a right to know who they are or not. This is true democracy and fairness for all members of the adoption triad.”

Many states are pursuing legislation allowing adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates, and former State Senator Paula Benoit plans to be in every state educating Legislators and the public on the importance of this legislation.

For more information on states considering access legislation or information regarding sealed birth certificates go to www.adopteecare.com

“I can’t think of anything more important than being able to know who you are and where you come from, happy or sad, it is a basic human right every American citizen should have.”

Paula Benoit goes to Rhode Island Statehouse to speak with legislators about adoptee access legislation.

Paula Benoit goes to Rhode Island Statehouse to speak with legislators about adoptee access legislation.


Former Maine State Senator Paula Benoit will be visiting the Rhode Island State House to seek support for House Bill H-5496, legislation restoring the right for adult adoptees born in Rhode Island to obtain an uncertified copy of their original birth certificates.

Senator Paula Benoit of Phippsburg, Maine, led the charge in the Maine State Senate to pass a bill to open birth certificates previously unavailable to adult adoptees. The former senator was a co-sponsor of LD 1084: “An Act To Provide Adult Adoptees Access to Their Original Birth Certificates,” which permits adoptees, upon turning 18, to access birth certificates and medical forms that may have been completed by birth parents.

"I know this issue well. I live it every day." Benoit said. "The right to know who you are and where you come from is something so many people take for granted. Original identity is a basic human right and should never be sealed by any Government entity, under any circumstances. I fought for this bill on behalf of adoptees who want what all non-adopted citizens have, a choice to have access to their original birth certificates."

Senator Benoit will be accompanied at the statehouse by members of T.R.A.C.E (The Rhode Island Adoption Coalition for Equality). T.R.A.C.E. Is a grassroots effort dedicated to passing legislation in Rhode Island allowing all adult adoptees born in Rhode Island to obtain a non-certified copy of their Original Birth Certificate (OBC).

Since 2004 New Hampshire and Maine have passed legislation allowing all adult adoptees to obtain a non-certified copy of their OBC. In 2004 the New Hampshire legislature passed Senate Bill 335 (SB 335), and in 2007 the Maine legislature passed LD 1084. In both states nearly 70% of legislators voted in favor of restoring the civil right to obtain original birth certificates to adult adoptees.

New York Visit

Former Maine State Senator and current Executive Director of AdopteeCARE (Adoptee Council for Adoption Reform Education), Paula Benoit, has recently returned home to Maine after spending a week in Albany, New York.

Discussing the importance of all American born adult adoptees having access to their original identity with 51 State Legislators and/or their legislative staff members, the response was overwhelmingly supportive of New York legislation allowing adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

She will be returning to Albany the first week of March to continue the work of AdopteeCARE.

In addition to New York legislation allowing access, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Missouri and California are currently working on access legislation.