We are a group of organizations, adopted people, and allies committed to equality for all adult adoptees in New England. We believe that every adult adoptee has an inherent right to possess their own original birth certificate, without discriminatory conditions. The following organizations are part of the Coalition.
Core Partners
Vermont Adoptee Rights Working Group
The Vermont Adoptee Rights Working Group formed in early 2022 to organize around opposition to H.629. It formed quickly in response to discriminatory legislation in the state and has been instrumental in leading legislators to amend the bill to provide an unrestricted right for all Vermont adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates. Its members are all adopted people, and Ellie Lane is a Vermont-born adoptee.
Adoptee Rights Law Center PLLC
The Adoptee Rights Law Center is a law firm that assists adopted people in navigating legal challenges to obtain their own original birth certificates, secure U.S. citizenship, or seek information to which they are entitled. It also works to develop broader legal and legislative strategies to challenge structures that deny adopted people their basic and fundamental rights of identity.
Bastard Nation: The Adoptee Rights Organization
Bastard Nation campaigns for the restoration of all adult adoptees’ right to access their records, specifically for unconditional access to their own original birth certificates, unaltered and in full.
People for Ethical Adoption Reform
The mission of People for Ethical Adoption Reform (PEAR) is to provide a voice for people in the adoption community, primarily adoptees, former foster youth, and first families, as well as adoptive parents advocating for ethical reform.
Strategic Partners
New York Adoptee Rights Coalition
The New York Adoptee Rights Coalition is a New York-based advocacy group that successfully worked to restore the right of all adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates, without condition or restriction, in New York. That legislation became effective in January 2020.
Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York
The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York unites foster, adoptive, and kinship care families, giving them a voice and providing support, information and advocacy. By fostering communication and collaboration between families, agencies, and concerned citizens, the Coalition seeks to ensure the stability, well-being, and permanency of all children.
Read questions and answers about who we are and what we hope to do. We operate on consensus through a commitment that binds the organizations. We also adhere in writing to organizing principles.
We continue to work with other partners and allies. Sign up here for more information or to get involved.