Dear ..............
I am a fifty seven year old adoptee with children and grandchildren writing in support of SB 6496 and HB 2810. Both these bills pertain to the access of original birth certificates by adult adoptees.
I am in great admiration that my neighbors to the north in the beautiful state of Washington are demonstrating an enlightened and compassionate attitude in sponsoring these bills in your legislature. If passed they will right a wrong done thousands of Washington citizens who were adopted in your state.
When original adoption legislation was passed sealing files in 1943, only two members of the adoption triad were considered. It was never considered that the third member of the triad, the adoptee, would one day be an adult. It has been argued that promises were made to birthmothers and adoptive parents that secrecy would be maintained. In the cases where that was so, it was a travesty of justice. To allow any member of a transaction to permanently alter the rights of access to one's genetic identity forever should never have occurred. It has a flavor of slavery to it, when such power is given one human over another. It should be remedied. Whether or not an adult adoptee chooses to access the original birth certificate is not the issue. The law as it now stands violates the civil rights of all Washington adoptees, One's genetic identity cannot be altered. It belongs to a person and their children's children. It does not belong to the adoptive parents or the courts. Any human being should have the right at the age of majority to access their own original birth certificate.
I urge you to vote yes on both of these bills. We have made great progress in the last half of the 20th century to right the wrongs of past generations. Let your yes vote on both these bills include the rights of the adoptee in the triad and lead the way for other states in the nation to amend outdated and discriminatory laws.
Very truly yours,
Margaret Harwood
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