From Adoption Reform Illinois:
Illinois HB 5428 has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. It will be heard in the Senate today, Thursday April 15, 2010. Please contact the Illinois Senate NOW and ask them to oppose. This bill has been touted as restoring the rights of adult adoptees–but equality should be for ALL adoptees. HB 5428 divides adoptees into haves and have-nots leaving some behind. This is discriminatory and unjust.Talking points when contacting legislators:* Identity is identity, whether you are adopted or not.* ALL adoptees, all people, deserve equal treatment under the law.* The state of Illinois cannot afford to waste money on this expensive and ineffective bill.Contact info for senators available on our web site:or the ILGA web site:
As many of you know, I went to Springfield this week to testify against Illinois HB 5428, a bill that claims to support adoptee rights while doing the exact opposite. If you still think compromise legislation is the answer — if you think it’s okay to leave some adoptees behind — please take something away from my experience.
Going to Springfield was not an easy decision. I have two small children, a business to run, and limited finances, but I felt obligated to go not only for myself but on behalf of those unable to make it. So on a gorgeous spring morning I packed up a cooler of caffiene, downloaded my Weird Al Yankovic collection to my iPod, and headed out. (Nothing like Weird Al to keep you entertained on the flat, soporific stretch between Chicago and Bloomington-Normal.)
I brought with me the testimony of many birth mothers, adoptees, and others who, like me, believe that any legislation that leaves some adoptees behind is bad for everyone. A big thank you to those who sent letters, wished me luck, or otherwise supported me personally and the Adoption Reform Illinois coalition I went to represent.
First thing I learned: Parking in Springfield SUCKS.
Second thing: The staff at the Capitol are super-nice. From the security guards who pointed me in the right direction to the elderly gentleman manning the door of the room in which the meeting was held, they helped make my trip just a little smoother.
That’s where the niceties end. Once the meeting started I began to get that sinking feeling you get when you’re watching the original V and the spaceships show up. You want to scream: “They’re lizards in human skins!” but everyone wants to believe that the kindly Visitors are here to help. Except they’re not, and you’re on the menu.
HB 5428 was the first bill heard, because there were “so many people from out of town and out of state.” Senator A.J. Wilhelmi, Judiciary Committee Chairperson and Senate sponsor of HB 5428, yielded the chair to Senator Don Harmon so he could sit in the hot seat with Sara Feigenholtz and Rep. Terrence Martin of Alaska, who was brought in by the Feigenholtz team as a proponent of the bill.
When you arrive you sign a little slip that says who you are, who you represent, whether you’re pro or con and if you want to submit oral and/or written testimony. Harmon read off the list of these people. Proponents: Terrance Martin, the organization Shiva Siv (sp?), Linda Coon from the Chicagoland Bar Association, Julie Tye of The Cradle (an adoption agency), Melisha Mitchell of the American Adoption Congress (sic), George Rudis of Illinois Dept. of Public Health (who runs the Illinois registry), a representative of DCFS. Opponents: Tom Nolan, Christopher Brown (husband of adoptee Gay Brown), Gay Brown, Mary Lynn Fuller of Illinois Open, Rev. Bob Vanderberg of Concerned Christians America, Mary Dixon of the ACLU, Ralph Rivera of Right To Life, and me for Adoption Reform Illinois sponsored by the Green Ribbon Campaign For Open Records.
Senator Wilhelmi started off by expounding on all the “good” Sara Feigenholtz has done for adoptee rights and what an honor it’s been to work with her. Everyone sees her as a “champion” of adoptee rights, except those of us left behind by her compromises. Then he turned it over to Feigenholtz who talked about “wearing her heart on her sleeve” and “begging for human rights.” She whined about being called a “traitor to the Adoption Reform Movement” but felt that she was striking a balance by honoring the voice of the majority. Small consolation to those in the minority.
For those of you reading, if you don’t already know: I am in that minority. My birth mother has filed the denial of contact. So hearing that it’s okay for people like me to be left out so others can have access does not sit well with me. And I speak as someone who used to believe that intermediaries were the answer, that compromise was necessary and fair, until I got screwed by the process and realized that it’s really all about politics, influence, and making money off adoption records access. All of this became even more clear to me as I sat and listened to the committee meeting.
Feigenholtz pointed out that confidentiality is a myth because adoptive parents can obtain the decree of adoption which states the birth parent names on it. This became quite a contentious point later. She also mentioned that if a child surrendered for adoption is not adopted, the record is never sealed, and that some adoptive parents choose not to seal the file.
What’s ironic is that she was all about the rights of adoptees. The good news is, the legislators are starting to understand why adoptee rights are important. Feigenholtz’s testimony was full of the message we want to get across: why adoptees deserve the same rights as everyone else, why lack of access is discriminatory, etc. The bad news is that HB 5428, like everything else Feigenholtz has introduced, fails to fulfill that. If everyone deserves equal rights, then EVERYONE deserves equal rights, bar none. But Feigenholtz is very good at convincing people that it’s okay for the lizards to eat a few humans if the rest get to survive.
Rep. Martin of Alaska spoke of his experience in an orphanage in Baltimore and his struggle to gain access to his origins. “It’s all about truth,” he said. Julie Tye of the Cradle spoke about how adoptees aren’t trying to “stalk” birth parents. “They don’t do that,” she said. No one mentioned the adoptees left behind by this legislation. Next, Senator Harmon allowed Senator Wilhelmi to choose who got to testify and suggested he pick one person from each of the two opposing camps: those who feel the bill goes too far (e.g. Right to Life, ACLU) and those who feel it doesn’t go far enough (like Adoption Reform Illinois). I thought this was inappropriate because it allowed the sponsors of the bill to choose who got to speak.
Ralph Rivera of the Right To Life movement got his ass handed to him over the matter of purported confidentiality because it had already been established that adoptive parents have access to the birth parent names via the adoption decree. He doesn’t like the retrospective aspect of the legislation although he would be fine if it were prospective, in other words if birth mothers got to choose at the time of relinquishment if they want later contact. Yeah, yet another thing to burden a woman who’s immediately post-partum; a lifetime decision on contact. Ms. Dixon of the ACLU questioned whether adoptive parents actually know the birth parents’ names and pointed out that adoptive parents almost always opt for sealed records. (I bet most of them are never told there is a choice.)
Something Ms. Dixon said is important for every adoptee. She spoke of the legislative intent of sealing records from the general public — and said that the adult adoptee IS INCLUDED in the general public. She didn’t share what she’d been smoking.
Next they called oral testimony from someone who believes the bill doesn’t go far enough. That person was Gay Brown, an adoptee who flew in from New Jersey to testify. She spoke of her need for birth certificate access because of her medical condition in which she needed to be tested for the breast cancer gene. Her insurance wouldn’t cover it because she couldn’t prove anyone in her family has it. She said, “Answers could save my life, and my daughters’.”
With respect to Gay, medical necessity is a red herring that only encourages legislators to opt for conditional legislation. Because if all we need is medical, then it’s easy to condone things like registries and confidential intermediaries, even though they’re expensive and not available to everyone. It’s easy to say, “Okay, we’ll give you the information, but only if it’s redacted.” It’s easy to continue to deny our civil rights to access our original birth certificates.
My biggest disappointment was when Senator Harmon asked Gay, “As Senator John Cullerton [Sara Feigenholtz’s mentor and current Senate President] used to say, do you think this bill is bad, or is it better than we have now?” She said, “Perhaps,” and they swung right into the vote. In other words, the oral testimony that was supposed to reinforce the position that everyone deserves equal rights was basically negated.
The committee voted without reading any of the submitted written testimony, and the measure passed 6-3. Voting for were Don Harmon (“Step in the right direction”), Ira Silverstein (a sponsor), Terry Link (spoke of his experience as an adoptive uncle and favorably toward the concept of adoptee rights), Michael Noland (“the benefit to society outweights the possible detriment to birth parents”), Kwame Raoul, and Edward Maloney. Voting against were Randall Hultgren, Kirk Dillard (“I’m not ready to be on board this bill, but after meeting with my constituents I might change my mind”), and Matt Murphy. There were two abstentions (I believe Dale Righter and William Haine).
The second reading in the Senate is today, April 15th. This thing is being lubricated through the process as quickly as possible because Sara Feigenholtz and her allies know that time allows opposition.
Once again, I find myself not only fighting people who believe adoptees have no rights but also those who believe in adoptee rights but think conditional access is okay and we can go back and fix it later. What if there isn’t a later? Don’t you think they will grandfather in anybody who’s had a disclosure veto filed against them? My rights may be gone for the rest of my lifetime, but I’ll be damned if I sit by and allow it to happen. I encourage those of you in other states to think long and hard before agreeing to compromise. You may never get another chance, and you are selling out your fellow adoptees and possibly yourself in the process.
All people deserve equal, unfettered access to their original birth certificates without having to go through expensive and ineffective intermediaries. As I said, the legislators understand why adoptee rights are important. What they don’t get — because they haven’t had the opportunity to listen to anyone other than the Feigenholtz team — is that rights belong to everyone, without exception.
Post-meeting fun: meeting Sara Feigenholtz and her right-hand gal Melisha Mitchell in person. Melisha says she reads everything people say about adoption reform in Illinois, so let me say a big online howdy and hope you’re enjoying my blog.
Please contact the Illinois Senators TODAY and ask them to vote NO on HB 5428. Ask them to enact legislation that truly honors the civil rights of ALL adoptees. Use Maine as an example. And speaking of Maine, a big shout-out to Paula Benoit who took time out of her busy life to submit written testimony and coach me on speaking to legislators.
Thanks you so much, Triona. I’m tweeting this now, and will reference it later on Bastardette. I agree with you 110%
BTW, one of the stars of the original V is an old friend of mine. He was not a lizard.
Thanks for helping to spread the word. I think it’s important that people see how the legislative process works (or doesn’t) and how their voices may be lost no matter how much they try to express them.
Excellent rundown on the fiasco in Springfield. And boy does it reinforce what GRC testimony said about how they would never craft legislation the respected adoptee rights by hiding the process from adoptees. If we are not given a voice in the crafting of legislation, you can bet it’s going to pander top the people who do get to give input.
That’s exactly what I was thinking as I watched: that if this legislation is so great for adoptees, then why are so many adoptees (and birth families and adoptive families) against this legislation? Why conceal it in such secrecy? Why sneak it through without public commentary? Why cherrypick who gets to speak?
Triona-I am SO sorry-I don’t even know what to say-you so don’t deserve this and either do all the other Ill. Adoptees that got hurt yesterday. My heart breaks for you especially though because I know how hard you worked. What has happened to you through Adoption, because of what your AFather did to you and because you were informed your Mother did not want contact (if that is even true) is too much for any one person in a lifetime. It is disgustingly unfair, and the abuse spewed on you makes me sick. So does the phony bolony Sarah Fergenholtz or however her name is spelled (and since I have no respect for her I don’t care if I spelled it right). What she did was horrible, and I think the way the whole scene goes down is just wrong. More time should be spent listening to EVERYONE, before voting because these laws effects people’s LIVES. I just hope you will try again-to get this repealed, and keep speaking out. Howie Carr on the radio today was cutting down “bastards: due to Welfare Moms. My eyes filled with tears. We still have a long way to go. The way society treats us is unforgivable and immature. You had said in your post that AP’s could of gotten a decree with our Parents names on them when we were growing up is that right? Is that true for the BSE era as well? 60’s-70’s do you know? I want you to know too, that I agree with you on leaving no Adoptees behind. A sandwiched bill was passed here a few years ago by Patrick. I remember how it made me feel. How wrong it was. Maybe some Open Record activists see it as getting the camel’s head in the tent, but what worries me is that no new law will ever be made to let the rest of him in…..I agree with your anology of this ordeal with V as well. I had said social losers remind me of the lizards on that show. It looks like when it comes to Adoption Reform, we are dealing with vile reptiles. Hugs Triona
Just for the record:
social losers=social workers-LoL
Wow, Triona, thanks for this amazing report–and I know how hard it is to go anywhere with a little kids, not to mention two. You and your posters but your fingers on so much that is crucial about legislation and how it gets to be created. I’m sorry you couldn’t marshal more troops to help you. But you stood up for what was right. God, this particular fight (records) is so damned depressing.
Sealed records put citizens (adopted or not) at risk of committing incest. I’m starting to wonder if conditional bills start getting passed and enough people get to wallow in the crap and start filing law suits against the state/s if someday the U.S. Supreme Court will have to weigh in.
Improper–I don’t know the answer about the adoption decree, but it certainly can’t hurt to try. What they said in the hearing is that adoptive parents can get the decree but adopted adults can’t. (Yeah, I know. That ticked me off too.) Mine is a different situation because I was born in IL but adopted in OH. I was able to get my decree from OH but surprise surprise, my birth mother’s name wasn’t on it. That’s because my adopted father was the attorney who sealed my file. I’m sure he did that deliberately to reduce my avenues of search.
Osolomama–thanks. It was really difficult leaving my kids especially for this. And yes it was totally depressing. But we’re still in the fight and not done yet. There is still time for everyone to contact the Illinois senators and explain to them that this bill hurts adoptees instead of helping them.
Lori–thank you for your remarks also. I am very concerned that the more conditional legislation that gets enacted, the harder it will be to restore the rights of everyone.
No big hopes here, but I’m meeting with an attorney next week to discuss a civil rights lawsuit against state and federal governments. Yes, it’s been done before and lost. yes, I’ve been told it can’t be done…bullshit. I’mm fed up. Being a half orphan in the sea of bastards is a tough place to be as we all are shit upon, but that is my hook. The attorney is interested enough to set up a meeting and he deals with difficult cases. Pissed doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. Good work in Illinois. Keep looking through the shit and know you’ve got supporters.
Thanks for sticking to your guns, Triona. I agree – we’ve all got to be stronger about not backing down when these compromise measures are added. I’m so sorry Illinois has become so convaluted.
Each state now will be viewed as precedent for the other states still to come.
Again, thanks for all you do on behalf of adoptees and keeping us all informed every step of the way!
Halforphan–Thank you and best of luck with your efforts!
CarolC–Thank you as well. I agree that it’s important to stop bad legislation lest it bleed over onto other states. It’s too easy for one state to look at another and say, gee, why don’t we do it that way? But the more states with unconditional access, the easier it will be to enact that kind of legislation elsewhere.
Triona:
Once again a huge KISS for standing up for ALL adoptees. I can not find the words to express my sorrow and disappointment that you were unable to speak on this grave issue.
I truly still HAVE NO understanding, as much as I read on the matter, of WHY anyone is left behind in legislation. What is to gain from this? How do they choose whom wins and whom loses? What is fueling this? We all know it’s money, but I am still in the dark as it is senseless. It is simply a right that we are denied and should be seen as a federal offense.
I respect wholly G. Brown’s testimony, but completely agree this angle is very dangerous as it will loop hole rights for all. For all yes, IF you have a medical need. What about the rest of us? So in essence, if that was put into legislation it would still be slated for the chosen.
I can not comprehend how the proposers of this bill could be the ones choosing whom speaks! Isn’t that like cornering the market? How could the judge even have allowed that? Makes one realize this is all a jumping through fire hoops while butt-naked game!
To ask if a bill “is better than we have now” is ludicrous! Yes, it might be better now, but that doesn’t make it best. Why not simply make it best NOW. What is the hold up?
Whom said you, or me for that matter, wanted contact? It often isn’t about contact. I am seeking my rights to be recognized. Just like any other tax paying citizen.
It is terrible that this isn’t highly publicized with early enough time frame for we adoptees to organize and attend. I am sure this is intent. How unconstitutional, how sad, how wrong.
I deserve to know my history be that background, medical and all else that is a part of what makes me whom I am and what will make our children whom they are tomorrow. How this isn’t embraced is beyond me.
It burns me that anyone has control over information about ME. I am no longer that baby whom needs someone to speak for them. I am an adult that can make my own decisions. The government needs to get the hell out of my bedroom once and for all.
Whatever I can do I am in! Have already written, but if there is anything else you let me know.
Sincerely,
Chynna
Great report over what happened. I’m posting a link at FB and will do so at blog.
I contacted my Senator. Is it helpful to contact others who are not my representative?
EP
Chynna–What’s to gain is that people have discovered there is money to be made off adoption records access. Therefore this legislation, and Illinois’ existing system, is all about how to charge adoptees and birth families for that access, under the guise of “facilitating” contact. When, as you accurately point out, it has nothing to do with contact and everything to do with the right to one’s identity. Those who profit from records access have done a very good job pulling the wool over people’s eyes so folks actually believe that conditional legislation is a fair approach. It’s not. Rights belong to everyone, not just the chosen.
Lorraine–Thank you!
EP–Thanks for your help. It’s definitely beneficial to contact other senators in addition to your own. The more people they hear from, the better. Be sure to remind them that this bill is NOT about adoptee rights because that is how it’s been portrayed by the sponsors. ALL adoptees deserve equality. This bill turns adoptees into haves and have-nots and leaves some behind. That’s not equal rights, it’s continued discrimination.
Thanks again to you all for keeping up with our progress in Illinois and helping us fight this bill.
HEy Triona:
I totally understand the $$$$$$ aspect of these bills. But, then fine so charge ALL. Why leave some out and some in?
That cut out of certain years is perplexing to me. So make your bs blood money and charge everyone your ludicrous fees.
How do they make more $$$$ by limiting the bills to only certain years?
C.Girl
Chynna-Good questions. This bill is really about marketing the Illinois registry and CI program. They plan to take state funds (yes, in Illinois, the state that can’t pay its teachers) and spread the word in driver’s license renewals and other places. The part about opening OBCs pre-1946 is really just a front. It also serves as a smokescreen so the bill can be touted as pro-adoptee rights when it’s anything but. The bill also makes it a crime to pursue your own search via non-ID, so Illinois searchers are forced to funnel through the CI program.
Thanks for this. I’m an adoptee born in Illinois, and could not make it back for the hearings. Instead, I blogged and posted notices on FB and Twitter, and I wrote to the leaders who were going to be there.
Do you know why Sen. Hultgren voted “no”? Did he say? For several others it appears they stated the reasons for their votes.
Thanks,
Liberty H.
http://writingforliberty.blogspot.com
Hi Liberty–I’m not sure why Hultgren voted no, he wasn’t specific and didn’t talk much during the testimony.