Another Letter to WA State Legislators

in support of SB 6496 and HB 2810

I am writing to you today to ask your support for Bill number HB2810 that allows an adult adoptee access to his 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 1940'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 another.

While I am not a resident of Washington, I have been following this issue very closely in all states. My state of Massachusetts will look to states like yours when legislation of the same is proposed here. I urge you to vote to support this bill and thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Susan J. Schaller-Burlock
Massachusetts representative: Bastard Nation
Pittsfield MA


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