Adoption reform is a CIVIL RIGHTS movement. Millions of Americans are denied EQUAL RIGHTS and it is written into the law. Ballot Measure 58, restored one small piece of adoptees' Civil Rights.

When someone is adopted the original birth certificate is amended with the adoptive parents' names. Then, the original birth certificate is sealed. This sealing of the orignal birth certificate began in 1957 with a legislative action to protect the adoptee from the stigma of illegitimacy. A protection that is no longer necessary in today's society.

If you believe in Equal Rights for all, please, support this law. When a subclass of society (adoptees are a subclass) lose their equal rights, you are that much closer to losing one of your rights.

• How to Get an Oregon Original Birth Certificate
  As of March 21, 2000, the Oregon Supreme Court upheld Ballot Measure 58. However, the opponents to the reinstatement of this law have 21 days to file an appeal. The Court continued the stay on releasing original birth certificates. No, you cannot get it today, but you can submit your request for it now. When the law does go into effect, you will already be in line. There are approximately 2000 requests currently waiting.

• Official Measure 58 Site
  Link to the Sponsor of Measure 58. There is current information at this site on the progress of getting this law enforced.

• Letter to the Editor
  A letter to the editor of the Oregonian in response to a negative article on the ballot measure.

• Letter to Governor Kitzhaber
  A letter to the governor of Oregon in response to his opposition of the ballot measure. Similar to a judge speaks, but not the same.

• Letter to the Editor
  A letter to the editor of the Medford Mail Tribune in response to a misleading commentary on the ballot measure.

• Ballot Measure 58 FAQ
  Frequently Asked Questions about the social affects of this measure, by the sponsors of this bill.

• A Judge speaks to history and self
  

• Adoption Reform
  Links to Ginni's adoption reform pages.

Disclaimer: The views contained in this page are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the organizers of this ballot measure. I congratulate the organizers on their perseverence to get this issue on the ballot for us to vote on November 1998. Ginni D Snodgrass

Ginni D Snodgrass
© Copyright 1998