February 3, 1998
ACLU - Washington State Chapter
705 2nd Ave # 300
Seattle, WA 98104-1799
Attn: Mr. Jerry Sheehan
Dear Mr. Sheehan:
I am writing to you today to ask why you opposed to SB 6496 and HB 2810 that will allow an adult adoptee access to his/her unaltered, uncensored original birth certificate. As an adult adoptee, I feel strongly that this bill will give adoptees the dignity and freedom we have been denied.
Adoptees are the only class of citizens that can not gain access to their original birth certificate due to the circumstances of their birth. When adoption records and birth certificates were sealed across the country in the 1930's, 40's and 50's, social workers and psychologists original intentions were not to seal these for life. It was to protect a "child" from the stigma of illegitimacy. Protecting a child is one thing, denying adults their rights as any other citizen is travesty.
The Supreme Court has determined in the TN open records case (Doe v. Sundquist) that the right of privacy does not extend as far as maintaining anonymity from one's offspring. It is time the states began to acknowledge this fact by restoring adoptees' rights to their own birth records. Confidentiality was never promised to birth mothers; it was never written, nor was it verbal; it was neither implied, or explicit. Records are NOT sealed at relinquishment. They are sealed at the finalization of adoption which is months later, IF adoption occurs.
I have always admired the ACLU for their stand for civil rights of individuals but in this matter I feel you are in serious error and that disappoints me terribly. It is the adoptees rights that are being violated with sealed records. While I am not a resident of Washington, I have been following this issue very closely in all states. I urge you to change your opposition to bills SB 6496 and HB 2810.
Sincerely,
Susan J. Schaller-Burlock
Massachusetts Representative: Bastard Nation
Pittsfield MA
cc: American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004-2400
[ Prev ] [ Open 98 Home Page ] [ Next ]