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

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,