To the Editor:
In nominating Rep. DebraLee Hovey, 112th District incumbant, Town Councilman, Frank Lieto, cited her passion in "the protection of the rights of veterans, women and children." No doubt Rep. Hovey is a respected rising star in the Connecticut GOP. However, as a woman who was an adopted child, I would say, Rep. Hovey has worked hard to protect the rights of "select" women and children.
For the past several legislative sessions, GOP Rep. Hovey has voted against the civil rights of Connecticut adoptees. She has voted against open-access to our original birth certificates.
I have not spoken with Rep. Hovey personally, although I would like to. However, the general consensus of Connecticut Republicans is "birth mothers confidentiality must be protected." Really?
Think about this. Giving preferential treatment to one segment of society over another, is discrimination. It is a violation of adoptee civil rights.
The State of Connecticut has never enacted a law protecting birth mother confidentiality. If private adoption agencies promised confidentiality, then they did it above the law. Ironically, many of those involved in open birth certificate access are birth mothers who want to be found.
While Rep. Hovey votes to favor birth mothers over adoptees, she is voting to refuse us the right to know who we are, and in many cases, the right to know our own medical history.
Connecticut law allows adult adoptees one page of "Non-identifying" information and one page of "Medical" information from their adoption agency.
My adoption agency did not give me any medical information. This means either I hire a searcher or I petition Probate Court!
I congratulate Rep. Hovey on her tenacity. But I am seriously dismayed that this representative has failed to do her due diligence on this most important civil rights issue.
Every adopted adult should have legal access to their original birth certificate. Not every adoptee will want it — still, this civil right should and must be in place.
When I met my full birth sister 4 years ago, we sat together at Catholic Charities while a stranger, a social worker, held our file, read our birth name and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you who you are."
But she, a stranger, could know!! This is a disgrace. How Can This Be Legal????? BTW, my sister and I went to grammar school together. Please re-think your vote on this civil rights issue, Rep. Hovey. You owe it to your adopted constituents — and all Connecticut adoptees.
Thank you.
Carol Hudak
