Louisvillians picket for adoptee rights to access birth certificates

mookiebird said on August 8, 2010 at 11:43 PM

My parents received the document that were signed at the time of the adoption. Unfortunately, my mother passed away a few years ago and my dad is ill and I doubt he knows where they are but I'm sure I could find them if I needed them. I have no need for them. You may not be able to produce documents for the "hundreds, if not thousands" who begged and were promised that the child would be told about them and they could one day find them." That is a different situation from what I am talking about. No government agency, private agency, workplace, school, or business can legally share information about any person without that person's permission. Agreements can't prevent the child from searching for me but it does prevent the agency from giving information about me without my permission. This information is confidential and cannot be shared.

pris_sharp559437 said on August 6, 2010 at 1:52 PM

mookiebird ~~ There is no government or private agency that could have legally promised you a binding agreement of secrecy. Did you get anything in writing? Please produce it. For every one of you who comes forward and asks for anonymity, we can bring hundreds more, if not thousands, who begged for some assurance from the social workers and lawyers, and were ‘promised’, that their children would be told about them and could find them some day. None of these so-called promises are in writing and, in fact, they were all lies. The adopters and their minions, the social workers, told us mothers whatever we wanted to hear to pry our babies away and then threatened us with criminal action if we ever tried to interfere in the life of our baby and its new family. Knowledge does not necessarily mean contact. Every human being has a right to know their origins, genealogy, genetics, family history, and no one should be discriminated against because of their parent's desire for anonymity.

mookiebird said on August 1, 2010 at 9:11 PM

Really, you guys should research before you comment. Spouting your opinions and calling it fact doesn't work. Torrejon, that's what confidentiality is--it is a secrecy agreement. It is also known as a non-disclosure agreement. It was an agreement between myself and an agency to handle how the information regarding the infant child relinquished for adoption was handled. So, YES, the law DOES support secrecy. Heavnscandlelite, it is true that not every infant given for adoption is out of concern for the child, but it is half of the reason. The other half is selfish, as you say, but still a valid reason. In my case, being a young teen, I was unable to be a parent. It was one of the wisest decisions I've ever made, even if you don't agree. The fact remains that I have a non-disclosure agreement and I expect it to be upheld. If I decide to change my mind, it will be MY decision only.

torrejon said on July 31, 2010 at 8:18 AM

mookiebird: Confidential means that only people with an immediate interest in the situation have access. The child you relinquished has an immediate and verifiable interest in the documents about him/herself. Secrecy is what I think you are claiming. The law does not support secrecy.

heavnscandlelite said on July 31, 2010 at 12:28 AM

Open records would be far more discreet than ways, that now are easily done, to do search and find. Having done several years of searches with agencies the law is not on your side, unfortunately when it is done outside of open records. You cannot stop a search that is done by an adult over 18, or their adoptive parents. The state of Ky can give, has given, and I can get, any non-identivying information, which put with what is known, what research can give, is not hard to complete. Or, is that why you gave them up? You rejected them. You wanted to live as if this was not a person. Every adoptee is not given up because of concern for their welfare. Sometimes it is selfish. You may be very surprised one day. A contact through a neighbor, in-law, job asking questions because they genuninely care to know you.

mookiebird said on July 30, 2010 at 12:17 AM

where do u get ur facts? confidentiality ends at 21? 99% of adoptees are discreet? Where did you find that little tidbit statistic? you are just spewing opinions, not facts and don't know the law. The law is on my side.

heavnscandlelite said on July 29, 2010 at 10:37 PM

True, not everyone is discreet but 99% are. At 21 your "confidentialty ended. With today's open adoptions even more so. 21 years later if people cannot accept you for who you are and, you are not willing to come clean with truth, then it is there problem not yours. You are not the first nor the last to do this. You have the right, and many do, to not acknowledge their child. It might be your loss but that again is your choice. Who are you really trying to protect? Aren't you tired of keeping secrets and living a lie? Coming clean is easier. A 12 step program would be helpful.

mookiebird said on July 29, 2010 at 9:58 AM

What about those of us who were promised confidentiality? Not every adoptee who goes searching will be discreet. What if we went away quietly to give birth to the child, returned home to our family and community and never told anyone other than our family. What rights do WE have? Shouldn't we have what was promised to us, too?

heavnscandlelite said on July 28, 2010 at 9:45 PM

Adult adoptees should have the right for records. Medical info is critical-cancer, heart problems that run in families, inheritable problems. Being an adoptee I was 29 when I found my mom. I believe 21, contrary to some believing 18, should be the age because the maturity level is greater. It is responsible to be discreet, not barge in. Mom lived in a rural area. I chose to contact by a letter. To prevent someone reading it other than her and knowing what it really said I opened it, "I believe you are a friend I have not seen since...and gave my birthday. I would love to get back in touch at your convenience. You can contact me at, then gave my contact info." This let her know I was giving her options and time to think. Others, if they saw the letter might ask who this was giving her options to be open or say, I am not sure, I don't remember her...or whatever. Most of the time they are excited and want the reunion but not make it a media event.

torrejon said on July 27, 2010 at 2:23 PM

As adopteerightsco rightly points out: Very often, the protestors on the street know more about adoption law than many of the legislators inside the building. Colorado recently opened records for a 16-year span of adoptions. Since I was born/adopted within the relevant dates, I petitioned the Court for copies of my records. The Court's response made it obvious that it is completely unaware of the revised laws. So, I've petitioned AGAIN...making sure to include a link to the relevant Court of Appeals Order that revised the law. The problem isn't just legistlators that are under-informed. It is the Courts that are not up-to-date and therefore do not accurately and fairly apply the laws.

adopteerightsco said on July 26, 2010 at 1:50 AM

Thank you for this article. While we truly adore your beautiful city and appreciate being Louisvillians for the week, it needs to be noted that the participants in today's demonstration took time away from their families and jobs to travel from across the United States, Canada and even as far away as South America to attend. We are also a registered exhibitor with the NCSL Annual Summit, and will be continuing to educate legislators on this important issue throughout the convention. Very often, the protestors on the street know more about adoption law than many of the legislators inside the building. We hope that during this week, legislators across the country will learn from their peers in Kansas and Alaska, the two states that never sealed birth certificates from adoptees, as well as listen to lawmakers in Oregon, Alabama, New Hampshire and Maine where restored access legislation has been passed. All Americans deserve access to their original birth certificates.