Michigan Adoptees Advocate at the Ann Arbor Art Fair and the Blue Water Street Fair.
July 17-20, 2024
We were so excited to take on the challenge of advocating at two events this past weekend. Both offered a unique opportunity to connect with the Michigan public about why adopted people don’t have the same rights as they do.
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is the world’s largest art fair, a Midwest tradition that draws close to half a million attendees over three days the weekend of July 18th-20th. We had a 6’ x 6’ booth located in the non-profit section right near the University of Michigan campus. The fair itself spans 30 city blocks.
The Blue Water Street Fair celebrated the 100th year anniversary of the Bayview Mackinac Race, the world’s longest continuously run long distance freshwater yacht race—from Port Huron to Mackinac. This fair boasts 80 art vendors from all over Michigan, along with other festivities in downtown Port Huron.
Despite these two events happening simultaneously more than an hour apart, Michigan adoptees really stepped up to get job of advocating done, and all shifts were covered. Both booths provided such a great chance to educate the community about why adoptee rights matter, and try to gain support for the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2024 as well future support for OBC legislative efforts in Michigan. We also met alot of adoptees and their families and provided information for all of ways they could get connected to what AAOM is doing!
It was a beautiful thing to witness as adoptees educated hundreds this weekend about the nuances of adoption, while growing our adoptee community. We met many who support the adoptees citizenship act, and that Michigan adoptees should have the right to our own original birth certificates like adoptees have in 15 other states.
We feel seen and heard amongst our group and recognize the difference we are making to help future little adoptees to find belonging and validation in this journey for more understanding in society.