Our Mission

Bastard Nation advocates for the civil and human rights of adult citizens who were adopted as children. Millions of North Americans are prohibited by law from accessing personal records that pertain to their historical, genetic and legal identities. Such records are held by their governments in secret and without accountability, due solely to the fact that they were adopted.
Bastard Nation campaigns for the restoration of their right to access their records. The right to know one’s identity is primarily a political issue directly affected by the practice of sealed records adoptions. Please join us in our efforts to end a hidden legacy of shame, fear and venality.

FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions Who runs Bastard Nation? Executive Commitee and Legislative Commitee page Bastard Nation Founding Foundings   What’s with the name? The more than half-century old practice of impounding and sealing an adopted person’s original birth records in perpetuity has had the disastrous effect of breeding deep and long …

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Position Papers

Bastard Nation Position Papers These papers cover related issues more in depth and can be printed out for use in local public education or legislative campaigns. Bastard Nation’s Mission Statement From The Basic Bastard: Part I: Open Records: Why It’s an Issue Part V: Conditional Access Legislation Part VIII: Legalized Anonymous Infant Abandonment / …

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Take Action

 ACT Ideas for Getting involved You’re a Tax-paying citizen – NOT a Second-class citizen! Educate yourself, your community, and your legislators. The Basic Bastard The basics of Adoptee Rights Activism. Read it to know the issues and the arguments. Influencing Legislation A primer on getting the word out. Read it, …

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Local

Local Laws, Activism and Contacts Learn more about Adoption Rights History and Law Bastard Nation’s Mission Statement The Basic Bastard – a collection of short articles address the main issues and questions regarding Bastard Nation and adoptee rights. Bastard Nation’s Position Papers Bastard Bytes: Printable papers for activists, legislators, and the media …

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Featured News:

The United States According to Bastard Nation

BN Map HawaiiThe BASTARDIZED states of Alabama, Alaska, Hawai’i, Kansas, Oregon, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are the only U.S. states where adult adoptees have unrestricted access to their own original birth records! Join the fight to stamp out the seal of supreme Bastardy on the rest of the nation!

Bastard Nation is dedicated to the recognition of the full human and civil rights of adult Adoptees. Toward that end, we advocate the opening to Adoptees, upon request at age of majority, of those government documents which pertain to the Adoptee’s historical, genetic, and legal identity, including the unaltered original birth certificate and adoption decree. Bastard Nation asserts that it is the right of people everywhere to have their official original birth records unaltered and free from falsification, and that the adoptive status of any person should not prohibit him or her from choosing to exercise that right. We have reclaimed the badge of bastardy placed on us by those who would attempt to shame us; we see nothing shameful in having been born out of wedlock or in being adopted. Bastard Nation does not support mandated mutual consent registries or intermediary systems in place of unconditional open records, nor any other system that is less than access on demand to the adult Adoptee, without condition, and without qualification.

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Bastard Nation is Back!

Who knew it would take so long simply to fix a glitch and migrate the Bastard Nation webpage to a new server? Due to what might politely be called a bureaucratic-tech “issue,” (or should I say nightmare?)  a couple months. After 26 emails and a few phone calls we are back online.

Thanks to everyone who helped get us back here through donations, expertise, and patience. We love you all, and are ready to spread discord and disharmony throughout AdoptionLand.

I will be working on updates and fixes over the next week or so.

Marley Greiner, Executive Chair

 

Follow Bastard Nation on Twitter:  @BastardsUnite 

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URGENT Bastard Nation Dual Chamber Action Alert: South Carolina H 3775– amended but still dirty. Oppose. Session ends today.

DUAL CHAMBER ACTION ALERT
***CALLING ALL BASTARD NATIONALS & FRIENDS OF BASTARDS***
ALL HANDS ON DECK!

SOUTH CAROLINA H3775 took amendment during its Senate Second Read! Senate 3rd Read & vote is scheduled for Thursday, 5/10. Through Rules waivers, the bill may be immediately sent back to the House where the Senate’s’ amendment may be voted upon same day. If the amendment is rejected, the bill dies. If the amendment is accepted, the bill becomes a law.

May 10th is South Carolina’s sine die. Things are going to move extremely quickly. Especially since H 3375 is a legislature, and not a group-pushed bill. Every single BN member NEEDS to take part. *THIS* is why we are here… to stop dirty bills which violate our constitutional rights and promote anti-adoptee stigmas.

 

**SENATE**
Position: Do NOT Pass!

H 3375 Sponsors:
Reps. Knight, Delleney, Cobb-Hunter, Felder, J.E. Smith, Simrill, Douglas, West, Wheeler, Thigpen, Williams, McEachern, Johnson, Pitts, Ridgeway, Rutherford, Henegan, Collins, Brawley and King

Amended Bill text link: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess122_201…/…/3775_20180509.htm

On May 9th, H3775 took amendment during Second Read. The Amendment lowered the applying and receiving age, for future adoptees, from 21 to 18. The DV or court order mandate remained intact.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED, NOW!

LIVE Broadcast: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/video/videopage.php?chamber=S

TAKE ACTION! Email, call, tweet, stand up & speak out!

*SENATE*
Email Template:

Subject line: H3775- Please vote “NO!”

Letter body:

RE: H3775- NO!

Honorable Senator,

During 2nd Read, House Bill 3775 took amendment lowering the future adoptee receiving age from 21 to 18. Although I thank the Senate for rectifying the age requirement, which implied adult adoptees are mentally defective; the Senate did not address the bill’s numerous constitutional rights violations or conflicts with SC standing law. The bill is on the calendar, for 3rd Read and vote, May 10th. When the bill is called to the floor, please vote “NO!”.

Per South Carolina Adoption Act (Section 63-9), a birth certificate is amended upon adoption, not termination or relinquishment of parental rights. If the prospective adoptee is never adopted then the birth certificate is never sealed and continues to be use. And in the case of an adoption being revoked/annulled then the amended birth certificate is sealed while the original birth certificate is restored. Since South Carolina statute makes provision for the unsealing of an original birth certificate and its restoration (for everyday use), and the state only seals upon amendment when the child is adopted then logically, the State did not seal the original as a means of offering anonymity.

In an attempt to preserve a myth of anonymity, the bill violates adult adoptees’ right to equal treatment under the law by setting up a seperate mandate whose qualifying factor is how the individual’s family was created. The non adopted do not have to have the permission of the court or another adult when receiving their factual, birth certificate; only adoptees do. Nor is the ability to deny another adult permission given any other citizen. The bill re-establishes the legal link between the parent(s), whose parental rights were relinquished or terminated, and the adult adoptee through a state mandated non release of information/permission slip. This is an additional constitutional rights violation and it is in direct conflict with SC Section 63-9-760.

The bill’s tier system is blatant classism. Again, based solely upon how a family was created. Except, we will be further subclassed according to when the adoption occurred. Adopted before or after the bill were to be signed; we still would not be seen as equal to our non adopted peers. Through statute, the State will record its views regarding adult adoptees as “less than”. “Less than” those whose constitutional rights are to be acknowledged. “Less than” those who do not have to ask permission from another adult. “Less than” all other South Carolina born citizens and residents. And by extension, since an individual can only become an adoptee through adoption, adoptive families are seen as “less than”, also. Is that really the message the State wants to send?

Please send the message that *you* view all South Carolina born citizens as equal and deserving the same state legal considerations and constitutional rights. On H 3775, please vote “NO!”.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and service.

Respectfully,

Email Addresses (Please paste onto the BCC line. Thank you.) :

SGE@scsenate.org
KarlAllen@scsenate.gov
LinBennett@schouse.gov
PaulCampbell@scsenate.org
ChipCampsen@scsenate.gov
RichardCash@scsenate.gov
WesClimer@scsenate.gov
TomCorbin@scsenate.gov
JohnCourson@scsenate.gov
RonnieCromer@scsenate.gov
TomDavis@scsenate.org
MikeFanning@scsenate.gov
MikeGambrell@scsenate.gov
StephenGoldfinch@scsenate.gov
GregGregory@scsenate.gov
LarryGrooms@scsenate.gov
GregHembree@scsenate.gov
BradHutto@scsenate.gov
DarrellJackson@scsenate.gov
KevinJohnson@scsenate.gov
MarlonKimpson@scsenate.gov
HughLeatherman@scsenate.gov
GeraldMalloy@scsenate.gov
ShaneMartin@scsenate.org
ShaneMassey@scsenate.gov
JohnMatthews@scsenate.gov
MargieBrightMatthews@scsenate.gov
ThomasMcElveen@scsenate.gov
Mia@scsenate.gov
FloydNicholson@scsenate.org
HarveyPeeler@scsenate.gov
LukeRankin@scsenate.gov
glennReese@scsenate.gov
RexRice@scsenate.gov
RonnieSabb@scsenate.gov
JohnScott@scsenate.gov
SandySenn@scsenate.gov
NikkiSetzler@scsenate.gov
KatrinaShealy@scsenate.gov
VincentSheheen@scsenate.gov
ScottTalley@scsenate.gov
WilliamTimmons@scsenate.gov
RossTurner@scsenate.gov
DannyVerdin@scsenate.gov
KentWilliams@scsenate.gov
TomYoung@scsenate.gov

For those needing emails separated by commas (Please paste into the BCC. Thank you.) :

SGE@scsenate.org, KarlAllen@scsenate.gov, LinBennett@schouse.gov, PaulCampbell@scsenate.org, ChipCampsen@scsenate.gov, RichardCash@scsenate.gov,
WesClimer@scsenate.gov, TomCorbin@scsenate.gov, JohnCourson@scsenate.gov, RonnieCromer@scsenate.gov

TomDavis@scsenate.org, MikeFanning@scsenate.gov, MikeGambrell@scsenate.gov,
StephenGoldfinch@scsenate.gov, GregGregory@scsenate.gov, LarryGrooms@scsenate.gov,
GregHembree@scsenate.gov, BradHutto@scsenate.gov, DarrellJackson@scsenate.gov,
KevinJohnson@scsenate.gov

MarlonKimpson@scsenate.gov, HughLeatherman@scsenate.gov, GeraldMalloy@scsenate.gov, ShaneMartin@scsenate.org, ShaneMassey@scsenate.gov, JohnMatthews@scsenate.gov, MargieBrightMatthews@scsenate.gov, ThomasMcElveen@scsenate.gov, Mia@scsenate.gov,
FloydNicholson@scsenate.org

HarveyPeeler@scsenate.gov, LukeRankin@scsenate.gov, glennReese@scsenate.gov, RexRice@scsenate.gov, RonnieSabb@scsenate.gov, JohnScott@scsenate.gov, SandySenn@scsenate.gov, NikkiSetzler@scsenate.gov, KatrinaShealy@scsenate.gov, VincentSheheen@scsenate.gov

ScottTalley@scsenate.gov, WilliamTimmons@scsenate.gov, RossTurner@scsenate.gov, DannyVerdin@scsenate.gov, KentWilliams@scsenate.gov, TomYoung@scsenate.gov

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Senator-Karl-Allen-112238215530990
http://www.facebook.com/PaulCampbellSC
http://www.facebook.com/Senator-Chip-Campsen-159164367581855
https://www.facebook.com/cashforsc3/
http://www.facebook.com/senatorronniecromer
http://www.facebook.com/FanningforSenate
http://www.facebook.com/Mike-Gambrell-257748151072013
http://www.facebook.com/SenatorStephenGoldfinch
http://www.facebook.com/gregoryforsenate
http://www.facebook.com/LarryGroomsSC
http://www.facebook.com/DarrellJacksonSC
https://www.facebook.com/SenatorKevinJohnson/
http://www.facebook.com/KimpsonForSC
http://www.facebook.com/hugh.leatherman
http://www.facebook.com/gerald.malloy.7
http://www.facebook.com/brightmatthewsforsenate
http://www.facebook.com/thomasmcelveenforscsenate
http://www.facebook.com/miaforsenate
http://www.facebook.com/harveypeeler
http://www.facebook.com/lukerankinsc
http://www.facebook.com/rex.rice
http://www.facebook.com/sabbforsenate
http://www.facebook.com/johnscottsc
http://www.facebook.com/sandysennforsenate
http://www.facebook.com/SenatorKatrinaShealy
http://www.facebook.com/scotttalleysc
http://www.facebook.com/votetimmons
http://www.facebook.com/RossTurnerSC
http://www.facebook.com/people/Danny-Verdin/10001073184272
http://www.facebook.com/kent.m.williams.3

Twitter:
@repkarlallen, @bennettforhouse, @senatorcampsen, @cashforsc3

@wesclimer, @fanning4senate, @larrygrooms, @greghembree

@bradhutto, @dj1one, @kevinljohnson, @senshanemartin

@shanemassey, @margieforsenate, @ThomasMcElveen, @miaforsenate

@harveypeeler, @lukerankinsc, @rexrice, @sandy_senn

@katrinashealy, @vincentsheheen, @scottftalley

H3775-Adults being mandated to play “Mother, may I?” is not equality. #AllOrNone #14thAmendment #NoMoreGames

H3375- OBC & relatives aren’t a medical crystal ball; we have DNA testing & Prometheus company for that. None of them acknowledge rights! #Equality #14thAmendment

H3375-promoting Second and Third Class citizenship. #Equality #AllOrNone #14thAmendment

H3375-Constitution isn’t pie. Rights can’t be doled out a slice at a time. All are equal or none are. #JustDesertsNotDessert #Equality #14thAmendment

H3375- SC’s Civil Rights Time Machine: Restoring a legal link with first parents & giving them additional rights while taking away adoptees’ 14 Amendment rights. #NotEqualNotJust

Senate Member Phone Numbers
Thomas C. Alexander
(803) 212-6220

Karl B. Allen
(803) 212-6008

Sean M. Bennett
(803) 212-6948

Paul G. Campbell, Jr.
(803) 212-6410

George E. “Chip” Campsen, III
(803) 212-6340

Richard J. Cash
(803) 734-2430 (Switch board)

Wes Climer
(803) 212-6016

Thomas D. “Tom” Corbin
(803) 212-6100

John E. Courson
(803) 212-6250

Ronnie W. Cromer
(803) 212-6240

Tom Davis
(803) 212-6350

Mike Fanning
(803) 212-6024

Mike Gambrell (803)
(803) 212-6040

Stephen L. Goldfinch
(803) 212-6116

Chauncey K. Gregory
(803) 212-6148

Lawrence K. “Larry” Grooms
(803) 212-6400

Greg Hembree
(803) 212-6016

Brad Hutto
(803) 212-6140

Darrell Jackson
(803) 212-6048

Kevin L. Johnson
(803) 212-6024

Marlon E. Kimpson
(803) 212-6132

Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr.
(803) 212-6640

Gerald Malloy
(803) 212-6172

Shane R. Martin
(803) 212-6420

Shane Massey
(803) 212-6330

John W. Matthews, Jr.
(803) 212-6108

Margie Bright Matthews
(803) 212-6108

J. Thomas McElveen, III
(803) 212-6132

Mia S. McLeod
(803) 212-6056

Floyd Nicholson
(803) 212-6040

Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.
(803) 212-6430

Luke A. Rankin
(803) 212-6610

Glenn G. Reese
(803) 734-2430 (Switch board)

Rex F. Rice
(864) 884-0408

Ronnie A. Sabb
(803) 212-6032

John L. Scott, Jr.
(803) 212-6124

Sandy Senn
(803) 212-6116

Nikki G. Setzler
(803) 734-2430 (Switch board)

Katrina Frye Shealy
(803) 212-6320

Vincent A. Sheheen
(803) 212-6032

Scott Talley
(803) 212-6048

William Timmons
(803) 212-6008

Ross Turner (R)
(803) 212-6148

Daniel B. “Danny” Verdin, III
(803) 212-6230

Kent M. Williams
(803) 212-6000

Tom Young, Jr.
(803) 734-2430 (Switch board)

*HOUSE*
Email Template

Subject line: H3775- Please vote “NO!”

Letter body:

RE: H3775- NO!

Honorable Representative,

During the Senate 2nd Read, House Bill 3775 took amendment lowering the future adoptee receiving age from 21 to 18. Although I thank the Senate for rectifying the age requirement, which implied adult adoptees are mentally defective; the Senate did not address the bill’s numerous constitutional rights violations or conflicts with South Carolina standing law. The bill”s amendment could come to the House floor for acceptance, if it does, when asked whether the amendment is accepted; please vote “NO!”.

Per South Carolina Adoption Act (Section 63-9), a birth certificate is amended upon adoption, not termination or relinquishment of parental rights. If the prospective adoptee is never adopted then the birth certificate is never sealed and continues to be use. And in the case of an adoption being revoked/annulled then the amended birth certificate is sealed while the original birth certificate is restored. Since South Carolina statute makes provision for the unsealing of an original birth certificate and its restoration (for everyday use), and the state only seals upon amendment when the child is adopted then logically, the State did not seal the original as a means of offering anonymity. The State takes its clarification even further by stating that:

In an attempt to preserve a myth of anonymity, the bill violates adult adoptees’ right to equal treatment under the law by setting up a seperate mandate whose qualifying factor is how the individual’s family was created. The non adopted do not have to have the permission of the court or another adult when receiving their factual, birth certificate; only adoptees do. Nor is the ability to deny another adult permission given any other citizen. The bill re-establishes the legal link between the parent(s), whose parental rights were relinquished or terminated, and the adult adoptee through a state mandated non release of information/permission slip. This is an additional constitutional rights violation and it is in direct conflict with SC Section 63-9-760.

The bill’s tier system is blatant classism. Again, based solely upon how a family was created. Except, we will be further subclassed according to when the adoption occurred. Adopted before or after the bill were to be signed; we still would not be seen as equal to our non adopted peers. Through statute, the State will record its views regarding adult adoptees as “less than”. “Less than” those whose constitutional rights are to be acknowledged. “Less than” those who do not have to ask permission from another adult. “Less than” all other South Carolina born citizens and residents. And by extension, since an individual can only become an adoptee through adoption, adoptive families are seen as “less than”, also. Is that really the message the State wants to send?

Please send the message that *you* view all South Carolina born citizens as equal and deserving the same state legal considerations and constitutional rights. On H 3775, please vote “NO!”.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and service.

Respectfully,

Email Addresses (Please paste onto the BCC line. Thank you.) :
AlanClemmons@schouse.gov
AnneThayer@schouse.gov
AshleyTrantham@schouse.gov
BartBlackwell@schouse.gov
BethBernstein@schouse.gov
BillChumley@schouse.gov
BillCrosby@schouse.gov
BillHerbkersman@schouse.gov
BillHixon@schouse.gov
BillSandifer@schouse.gov
BillTaylor@schouse.gov
BillWhitmire@schouse.gov
BrandonNewton@schouse.gov
BrianWhite@schouse.gov
BruceBannister@schouse.gov
BruceBryant@schouse.gov
CalForrest@schouse.gov
CarlAnderson@schouse.gov
CezarMcKnight@schouse.gov
ChandraDillard@schouse.gov
ChipHuggins@schouse.gov
ChrisMurphy@schouse.gov
ChistopherHart@schouse.gov
CraigGagnon@schouse.gov
DanHamilton@schouse.gov
DavidHiott@schouse.gov
DavidMack@schouse.gov
DennisMoss@schouse.gov
DerhamCole@schouse.gov
DwightLoftis@schouse.gov
EddieTallon@schouse.gov
FrancisDelleney@schouse.gov
GarrySmith@schouse.gov
GaryClary@schouse.gov
GarySimrill@schouse.gov
GeorgeSmith@schouse.gov
GildaCobbHunter@schouse.gov
GregDuckworth@schouse.gov
HeatherAmmonsCrawford@schouse.gov
IvoryThigpen@schouse.gov
JAnneParks@schouse.gov
JDavidWeeks@schouse.gov
JackieHayes@schouse.gov
JamesLucas@schouse.gov
JamesRutherford@schouse.gov
JamesSmith@schouse.gov
JasonElliot@schouse.gov
JayJordan@schouse.gov
JayWest@schouse.gov
JeffBradley@schouse.gov
JeffJohnson@schouse.gov
JerryGovan@schouse.gov
JimmyBales@schouse.gov
JohnKing@schouse.gov
JohnMcCravy@schouse.gov
JonathonHill@schouse.gov
JosephDaning@schouse.gov
JosephJefferson@schouse.gov
JosephMcEachern@schouse.gov
JoshuaPutnam@schouse.gov
JosiahMagnuson@schouse.gov
JustinBamburg@schouse.gov
KatieArrington@schouse.gov
KevinHardee@schouse.gov
KirkmanFinlay@schouse.gov
LaurieFunderburk@schouse.gov
LawrenceKitSpires@schouse.gov
LeeHewitt@schouse.gov
LeolaRobinsonSimpson@schouse.gov
LeonHoward@schouse.gov
LeonidasStavrinakis@schouse.gov
LonnieHosey@schouse.gov
LucasAtkinson@schouse.gov
MandyPowersNorrell@schouse.gov
MarkWillis@schouse.gov
MarvinPendarvis@schouse.gov
MaryGailDouglas@schouse.gov
McLainToole@schouse.gov
RitaAllison@schouse.gov
MicahCaskey@schouse.gov
MichaelAnthony@schouse.gov
MichaelPitts@schouse.gov
MichaelRivers@schouse.gov
MikeBurns@schouse.gov
MikeForrester@schouse.gov
MikeSottile@schouse.gov
NancyMace@schouse.gov
NathanBallentine@schouse.gov
NealCollins@schouse.gov
PatriciaHenegan@schouse.gov
PeterMcCoy@schouse.gov
PhillipLowe@schouse.gov
PhyllisHenderson@schouse.gov
RayeFelder@schouse.gov
RichardMartin@schouse.gov
RichieYow@schouse.gov
RobertBrown@schouse.gov
RobertRidgeway@schouse.gov
RobertWilliams@schouse.gov
RogerKirby@schouse.gov
RonnieYoung@schouse.gov
RosalynHendersonMyers@schouse.gov
RussellFry@schouse.gov
RussellOtt@schouse.gov
SamuelRivers@schouse.gov
ShannonErickson@schouse.gov
SteveMoss@schouse.gov
StevenLong@schouse.gov
SyllesteDavis@schouse.gov
TerryAlexander@schouse.gov
TimMcGinnis@schouse.gov
ToddAtwater@schouse.gov
TommyPope@schouse.gov
TommyStringer@schouse.gov
WendellGilliard@schouse.gov
WendyBrawley@schouse.gov
WestonNewton@schouse.gov
WillWheeler@schouse.gov
WilliamsBowers@schouse.gov
WilliamClyburn@schouse.gov
WilliamCogswell@schouse.gov

AlanClemmons@schouse.gov, AnneThayer@schouse.gov, AshleyTrantham@schouse.gov,
BartBlackwell@schouse.gov, BethBernstein@schouse.gov, BillChumley@schouse.gov, BillCrosby@schouse.gov, BillHerbkersman@schouse.gov, BillHixon@schouse.gov,

BillSandifer@schouse.gov, BillTaylor@schouse.gov, BillWhitmire@schouse.gov, BrandonNewton@schouse.gov, BrianWhite@schouse.gov, BruceBannister@schouse.gov, BruceBryant@schouse.gov, CalForrest@schouse.gov, CarlAnderson@schouse.gov,
CezarMcKnight@schouse.gov,

ChandraDillard@schouse.gov, ChipHuggins@schouse.gov, ChrisMurphy@schouse.gov,
ChistopherHart@schouse.gov, CraigGagnon@schouse.gov, DanHamilton@schouse.gov,
DavidHiott@schouse.gov, DavidMack@schouse.gov, DennisMoss@schouse.gov,
DerhamCole@schouse.gov,

DwightLoftis@schouse.gov, EddieTallon@schouse.gov, FrancisDelleney@schouse.gov,
GarrySmith@schouse.gov, GaryClary@schouse.gov, GarySimrill@schouse.gov,
GeorgeSmith@schouse.gov, GildaCobbHunter@schouse.gov, GregDuckworth@schouse.gov,
HeatherAmmonsCrawford@schouse.gov,

IvoryThigpen@schouse.gov, JAnneParks@schouse.gov, JDavidWeeks@schouse.gov,
JackieHayes@schouse.gov, JamesLucas@schouse.gov, JamesRutherford@schouse.gov,
JamesSmith@schouse.gov, JasonElliot@schouse.gov, JayJordan@schouse.gov,
JayWest@schouse.gov,

JeffBradley@schouse.gov, JeffJohnson@schouse.gov, JerryGovan@schouse.gov, JimmyBales@schouse.gov, JohnKing@schouse.gov, JohnMcCravy@schouse.gov,
JonathonHill@schouse.gov, JosephDaning@schouse.gov, JosephJefferson@schouse.gov,
JosephMcEachern@schouse.gov,

JoshuaPutnam@schouse.gov, JosiahMagnuson@schouse.gov, JustinBamburg@schouse.gov,
KatieArrington@schouse.gov, KevinHardee@schouse.gov, KirkmanFinlay@schouse.gov,
LaurieFunderburk@schouse.gov, LawrenceKitSpires@schouse.gov, LeeHewitt@schouse.gov
LeolaRobinsonSimpson@schouse.gov,

LeonHoward@schouse.gov, LeonidasStavrinakis@schouse.gov,
LonnieHosey@schouse.gov, LucasAtkinson@schouse.gov, MandyPowersNorrell@schouse.gov, MarkWillis@schouse.gov, MarvinPendarvis@schouse.gov,
MaryGailDouglas@schouse.gov, McLainToole@schouse.gov,

RitaAllison@schouse.gov, MicahCaskey@schouse.gov, MichaelAnthony@schouse.gov,
MichaelPitts@schouse.gov, MichaelRivers@schouse.gov, MikeBurns@schouse.gov,
MikeForrester@schouse.gov, MikeSottile@schouse.gov, NancyMace@schouse.gov, NathanBallentine@schouse.gov,

NealCollins@schouse.gov, PatriciaHenegan@schouse.gov, PeterMcCoy@schouse.gov,
PhillipLowe@schouse.gov, PhyllisHenderson@schouse.gov, RayeFelder@schouse.gov,
RichardMartin@schouse.gov, RichieYow@schouse.gov, RobertBrown@schouse.gov,
RobertRidgeway@schouse.gov,

RobertWilliams@schouse.gov, RogerKirby@schouse.gov, RonnieYoung@schouse.gov,
RosalynHendersonMyers@schouse.gov, RussellFry@schouse.gov, RussellOtt@schouse.gov,
SamuelRivers@schouse.gov, ShannonErickson@schouse.gov, SteveMoss@schouse.gov,
StevenLong@schouse.gov,

SyllesteDavis@schouse.gov, TerryAlexander@schouse.gov, TimMcGinnis@schouse.gov,
ToddAtwater@schouse.gov, TommyPope@schouse.gov, TommyStringer@schouse.gov,
WendellGilliard@schouse.gov, WendyBrawley@schouse.gov, WestonNewton@schouse.gov,

WillWheeler@schouse.gov, WilliamsBowers@schouse.gov, WilliamClyburn@schouse.gov,
WilliamCogswell@schouse.gov

House Twitter:

@RepCLAnderson, @yowforhouse, @markwillissc, @RepRQWilliams

@RepRutherford, @beth4house, @NathanBallentin, @leonstav

@GarryRSmith, @SCHouseDems, @Rep_Pendarvis, @repjohnrcking

@MPowersNorrell, @RepRosHM, @LonnieHosey, @Clyburn

@WgillyG, @reprussellott, @RepMikePitts, @cezarmcknight

@JustinBamberg, @garysimrill, @SCHouseGOP, @RepAlanClemmons

@westonnewton120, @reptallon, @FortMillRaye, @RepAnneThayer

@garyclarysc, @LinBennett, @JordanForSC, @petermccoyforsc

@schousespeaker, @tommypopeSC, @GDuckworthSC, @RepTAlexander

@karringtonsc, @ashley4schouse, @TaylorSCHouse, @tommymstringer

@murrellsmith, @JamesSmithSC, @billsandifer, @toddatwater

@DerhamCole, @StevenLongSC ‏, @BruceBannister, @ChrisMurphySC98

@BrandonNewton7, @JoshuaPutnamSC, @SamuelRivers, @ChipHugginsSC

@pathenegan54, @PhillipLowe, @NancyMace, @Gagnon4house

@KirkmanFinlaySC, @jelliottsc, @syllestedavis, @RussellWFry

@chandradillard, @jerrygovan, @collins_neal, @daning_joe

@ShannonErickson, @LS_Funderburk, @phyllish21, @BillChumleySC

@VoteForrester, @JeffBradleyhhi, @CogswellWilliam, mccravyforhouse.com

@CallyForrest, @GCobbHunter

… Continue Reading

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South Carolina H3775. Submitted testimony to Senate Committee on Medical Affairs and full Senate Do Not Pass.

Bastard Nation: The Adoptee Rights Organization

Phone 614-641-0294 /614-372-5535

www.bastards.org @bastardsunite

Submitted Testimony on H3775

DO NOT PASS: Amended bill

Senate Committee on Medical Affairs

Submitted by Marley E. Greiner, Executive Chair

April 15, 2018

Bastard Nation: the Adoptee Rights Organization is the largest adoptee civil rights organization in the United States. We support only full unrestricted and unconditional access for all adopted persons to their original birth certificates (OBC) and other government-held files pertaining to their adoptions.

In April 2017 we testified in support of H3775 because it was “clean:” an inclusive bill, that when passed would restore original birth certificate access to all South Carolina-born adoptees upon request without restriction or condition. We urged passage in both committee and chambers.

The bill went nowhere but was carried over to the 2018 session. It is live again, and due to egregious amendments that gut the intent of the original bill, as well as the rights of all the state’s adoptees–current and future– we have changed our testimony, from DO PASS to DO NOT PASS.

Two amendments were added recently in the House Committee on Medical, Military, and Public Affairs:

  • OBC access went from unconditional and unrestricted access for all South Carolina Adoptees no matter their date of birth or adoption to prospective access. That is, only those whose adoptions are finalized after the effective date of H3775, will be eligible to access their OBCs.

  • But, those adopted after the effective date of the bill cannot receive their OBC without explicit written biological parent(s) consent

In other words, those adopted before the effective date remain in their black hole and denied access. Those adopted after that date can be shoved into that black hole with them if a birthparent refuses to grant permission for the adoptee to access their own OBC. In effect, nothing will change for the thousands of South Carolina adoptees for whom this bill was originally created, and whose records are already sealed and will remain sealed. Moreover, onerous restrictions to access are placed on those later adoptees supposedly made eligible for access by the bill.

… Continue Reading

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Louisiana SB 392 Deferred. Bastard Nation Testimony in opposition

We did it! YOU did it!. Less than 24 hours after Bastard Nation issued our action alert to stop Louisiana SB 392, the bill was deferred for the session–and we hope will be pulled.

Bastards & Friends pulled together at unprecedented speed.  With emails, tweets, and phone calls we let the Senate Judiciary Committee know that SB 392 was unacceptable and an insult to Louisiana adoptees and adoptees throughout the US.  It is not what adoptees want or need.

Monday, Bastard National Elise Lewis flew all the way from Minnesota to NOLA via Atlanta (where she was held up by a storm), then drove to Baton Rouge to testify. By the time she got there the bill had been deferred due to the bad reaction. Elsie, however, was able to secure a meeting with the bill’s sponsor Troy Carter.  He is willing and interested in helping restore the rights of adopted persons in Louisiana, and we will be keeping in touch with him.

Two other Bastard Nationals, driving home from the AAC in Albuquerque also volunteered to drive straight through to testify, but fortunately, they didn’t have to. We would also like to thank our old friend Kenny Tucker for his assistance.

Please contact Sen Carter and thank him for listening to our voices and deferring SB 392 to next session. Encourage him to work on a clean bill for all adoptees.

cartert@legis.la.gov

Phone:  (504)302-3682

@TROYSEE

This is what happens when Bastards keep focused on the prize of equality for all, not just some  Thank you all!

 Below is the testimony Bastard Nation submitted in opposition.

Bastard Nation: The Adoptee Rights Organization

Phone 614-641-0294 /614-372-5535

www.bastards.org @bastardsunite

Submitted Testimony on SB392—original birth certificate access for adoptees

DO NOT PASS:

Judiciary Committee A

April 24, 2018

Submitted by Marley E. Greiner, Executive Chair

Bastard Nation: the Adoptee Rights Organization is the largest adoptee civil rights organization in the United States. We support only full unrestricted and unconditional access for all adopted persons to their original birth certificates (OBC) and other government-held files pertaining to their adoptions.

We are submitting testimony today on SB 392 and ask that you vote DO NOT PASS.

This bill does nothing to further the rights of Louisana adoptees. In fact, it places them in a worse position than they already are legally, with Draconian regulations on original birth certificate (OBC) access and identifying information that even the tightest closed record states do not require

OBC access is the keystone of adoption reform in the US today. SB 392 is complicated, difficult to understand, and perplexing. It is not what adoptees want. SB 392:

  • Opposes and rejects current national best practice adoption standards and policy, including policy recently adopted by the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (see below).

  • Forces adopted persons and birth family members to join a poorly publicized and little used state-run “reunion registry” to even begin the process of OBC release; possibly with a registry fee.

  • Stigmatizes adoptees by suggesting that those who seek their own birth certificates—a document that the not adopted can access without restriction, question, or stigma from the state— are dangerous and need psychological counseling (even to participate in the ill-conceived registry.)

  • Creates a special right for third parties (birthparents and siblings), who have no legal standing – to intervene and stop release—a “right that no other person holds over another. On top of it, birthparents have relinquished (or the state relinquished them for them) their parental right decades earlier severing all rights and responsibilities.

  • Represents big government at its worse. It bars citizens from accessing the public/state held record of their own birth. If the state can withhold that most intimate of document, what other records can it withhold?

… Continue Reading

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Bastard Nation is a proud member of the New York Adoptee Rights COalition

Bastard Nation is a proud member of the New York Adoptee Rights COalition

NYAC: Bastard Nation, The American Adoption Congress, Adoptee Rights Law Center, Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York. Strategic Partners: Reclaim the Records

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THE BASTARD BOUTIQUE IS NOW OPEN!  STOCK UP ON BASTARD SWAG FOR YOURSELF, YOUR FRIENDS. GIVE THE GIFT OF BASTARDY TO ANYONE, ANY TIME, ANY WHERE.

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NEW!    And just in time for Bastard Nation’s  Reclaiming My Pie Tour 2018….Fun Abuse and so this is the pie.

NEW!    And just in time for Bastard Nation’s  Reclaiming My Pie Tour 2018….Fun Abuse and so this is the pie.

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The Bastard Nation Reading Room

The Bastard Nation Reading Room

Visit our refurbished and expanded Bastard Nation Reading Room and become a Well-Read Bastard.. Start with "The Bastard Chronicles: 20 Years of Adoptee Equality Activism in the U.S.and the Birth of a Bastard Nation", Compiled and edited by Marla Paul, "The Bastard Chronicles" is primer for adoptee equality. It features a diverse collection of Bastard theory, and practice, Bastard and Bastard Nation history, legislative and political action, personal stories, art, and literature. It is the public face of Class Bastard written by Bastard Nationals and those we have influenced. Print edition available at Amazon and the Bastard Boutique/.Also available on Kindle.

FACEBOOK OFFICIAL BN PAGE

FACEBOOK OFFICIAL BN PAGE

Join us on the Official Bastard Nation Facebook page. The only "adoption" page on Facebook dedicated to discussion and promotion of adoptee autonomy, civil rights, bastard theory, political organizing, and activism. You can also sign up there for our BN mail list which includes all of our Action Alerts. This is not a search and support page. No Woundies need apply! (Page live on July 1, 2015)

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FACEBOOK SOCIAL BN PAGE

Join the Bastard Nation Public Page, a public service for Bastard Nationals, friends and supporters. General discussion on adoptee rights and related issues.

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Join Bastard Nation!

Join Bastard Nation!

This summer we are updating our membership/donation page and payment process. If you would like to join or donate, please hit the spemrie. It will take you to our Bastard Boutique page. Follow instructions from there. Be sure to include a quick note with your contact information and anything else you'd like us us know..

GET INVOLVED with Bastard Nation’s national and state-level advocacy efforts. Sign up or update your contact information here. We’ll be in touch.

GET INVOLVED  with Bastard Nation’s national and state-level advocacy efforts. Sign up or update your contact information here. We’ll be in touch.

Become a Bastard Nation Legislative Liaison!

Become a Bastard Nation Legislative Liaison!

Bastard Nation needs Legislative Liaisons in every state with laws that seal adoption records. We need eyes and ears in the legislatures, creating relationships and gathering information.

What does a BN Legislative Liaison do? They talk with lawmakers and their staff about adoptee rights and the laws that seal records. They distribute Bastard Nation position papers and FAQs to legislators and staff members. They record their conversations and report to the BN Legislative Committee.

They are organized, informed, friendly, helpful, and engaged.

What do you need to do to be a BN Legislative Liaison?

1. You need to live close to the capitol of your state.
2. You need to be able to appear friendly, even when talking with people who disagree with you or are just disagreeable, period.
3. You need to have a flexible schedule.
4. You need to agree with Bastard Nation’s mission: If you don’t know what that is, go to bastardnation.org, it’s right there on our welcome page.

Those are the prerequisites. If you are interested, click the picture of the capitol rotunda, and fill out the application form. We will be in touch and schedule an online orientation and training.

We look forward to working with you!

My, my it’s American Bastard Pie! (design by Lisa Zatonsky)

My, my it’s American  Bastard Pie! (design by Lisa Zatonsky)

See our state partners:

See our state partners:

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: CalOpen

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: CalOpen

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Indiana Open Access

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Indiana Open Access

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Michigan Open Access

Proud Bastard Nation Partner:  Michigan Open Access

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Missouri Open

Proud Bastard Nation Partner:  Missouri Open

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Equal Access Oklahoma

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Equal Access Oklahoma

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Open Adoption Records in Quebec

Proud Bastard Nation Partner: Open Adoption Records in Quebec

SAMPLE STATE ORGANIZATION RESOLUTION AGAINST VETOES AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS

SAMPLE STATE ORGANIZATION RESOLUTION AGAINST VETOES AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS

Any political organization seeking to enact true open records legislation should be very clear with both their constituents and the legislators they work with about what the essential provisions of the proposed bill are. Any modification or deletion of the essential provisions of a bill should be immediate cause to have the bill killed.

Any political organization seeking the assistance of Bastard Nation to pass open records legislation must hold unconditional access by adult adoptees to the original record of their birth as an essential provision that cannot be modified or deleted. Read our Mission Statement.

Bastard Nation will not assist any political organization to pass open records legislation unless their governing board or other leadership

passes a written resolution such as the following that commits the board to a strategy of no compromise on key provisions
informs its constituents of this commitment and this strategy
informs the sponsoring legislators of this commitment and this strategy.

WHEREAS we recognize that disclosure and contact vetoes, redactions, mandatory intermediaries and registry provisions are an affront to the dignity of adopted persons everywhere and a violation of their right to due process and equal treatment under the law,

WHEREAS there has been a demonstrable negative effect on the ability to pass unconditional open records in states that have passed veto legislation and/or any provisions that are less than unconditional access on demand by the adult adoptee,

WHEREAS our primary goal is to restore the right of adult adoptees everywhere to be treated as full citizens under the law,

WE HEREBY DECLARE that under no circumstances will we accept the addition of veto, redaction, intermediary, or registry provisions, or any conditional provisions to our legislation that would be less than unconditional access for adult adoptees to the original record of their birth. All legislative sponsors and members of this organization will be informed of our policy on this matter to ensure that the bill is pulled promptly in the event of such revisions.

Bastard Nation Analysis and Endorsement of the Adoptee Citizenship Act 2015

 Bastard Nation Analysis and Endorsement of the Adoptee Citizenship Act 2015

Stop deporting our brothers and sisters!

Bastardly Books by Bastards and Friends

Bastardly  Books by Bastards and Friends

A reading list for all Good Bastards

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