Bastard Nation is happy to announce that it has entered into a partnership with Missouri Open, the only authentic no-compromise organization dedicated to adoptee equality in the State of Missouri. It joins BN partners CalOpen and Indiana Open Access.
The lack of transparency, communication, and professionalism within the current so-called Missouri “adoptee rights” movement, which is pushing badly compromised legislation and spreading mis-information about their work, is unconscionable. It jeopardizes the fight for adoptee equality and restoration of non-restricted access to Original Birth Certificates and other state-held adoption records not only in Missouri but nationwide. We are thrilled that Missouri Open, founded nearly 20 years ago and one of the original state adoptee rights organizations, has re-constituted itself and is working for true adoption equality.
Missouri Open is led by Konni Hall and Miren Kara Theiding with Lindsay Woodside acting as Missouri adviser. Lindsay is the founder of the original Missouri Open, a long-time BN supporter, and former BN LegCom member. Nearly 20 years ago she and Missouri Open brought the first OBC access bill, sponsored by Rep. Glenda Kelly, before the Missouri Legislature. Due to health issues Lindsay has been unable to be active in the movement for the past few years, but she has never given up. Lindsay is the living history of the Missouri movement, and we are so happy that she is back with us. She is as solid as they come.
We asked the Missouri Open crew to tell us, in their own words, a little bit about themselves and their Missouri Open goals:
Lindsay Woodside was born at Fairmont Maternity home, Kansas City, MO, May 1942, no truth in non- identifying information sent by Jackson County Court. Had DNA testing done which gave me the name of my biological mother who is deceased. Also biological father is deceased but court will still not release my OBC. Both adoptive parents also deceased and one of my children is deceased. It’s only me and my elder son but the court, regardless of what the law says, will not release my OBC. As you are aware, never supported veto of any sort and just barely support the CPF if written correctly.”
Konni Hall is a 42 year old mother, RN and breast cancer survivor who was born and adopted in Arkansas. She has been searching for her birth parents without success for over 20 years and became involved in the open records movement after she moved to Missouri in 2003. I’m tired of halfway legislation that leaves some adult adoptees behind. Our original birth certificates were sealed at ADOPTION, not relinquishment. It’s a civil right for an adult to have his or her original birth certificate, whether or not he or she is adopted.
Mirren Kara Theiding is an adoptee in her 40’s, born in St. Louis, and adopted and raised in St. Louis County. I was born in Jewish Hospital, and I found my birth parents despite the CI system with its expensive search services and lack of ethics and oversight. I seek to help lead Missouri Open to put adoptee equality first: that means OBC access for all, no vetoes, no restrictions. I believe that there is no compromise possible or necessary when it comes to adoptee equality. No adoptee should be left behind. Period. Missouri Open’s mission–to restore equality to adoptees in Missouri–is the only way to proceed with legislation. Other groups in Missouri that settle for less will achieve less (and will leave adoptees behind). Leaving fellow adoptees behind is unconscionable.
You can read our Bastard Nation-Missouri Open agreement here.
Help us help bring genuine adoptee equality to Missouri! Welcome Missouri Open and join Missouri Open’s Facebook page.
Bastardize Your State!
Bastard Nation is always looking for new members and activists to fight for unrestricted access to OBCs and other state-held records. If you want to work in your own state please go to our Legislative Liasion page and sign up. Someone will get back to you. We’ll train you, help you organize your state organization, and make adoption equality the law–wherever you live!
New York Adoptee Rights Coalition
