Adoptee Suicidality and Living with the Exit Sign

On July 23, 2026July 8, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn Abandonment and Rejection, Abuse in Adoption, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, adoptee in prison, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, Adoption Attachment, adoption conversations, Adoption Conversations, adoption estrangement, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, Adoptive parents, Alcohol and drug addiction, colourblindness in adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, denial gaslighting minimisation by others, Difficult discussions in adoption, Finding biological mother, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Intercultural struggles, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Peer Support, Peer support, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Suicide, Survival mechanisms, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

A personal reflection on adoptee suicidality, identity, abandonment and hope, exploring how adoption can shape mental health while choosing, each day, to stay.

Beyond Investigations: What Needs to Happen After?

On July 18, 2026July 8, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, Adoption Conversations, adoption conversations, Adoption policy, adoption reform, adoptive parent reflection, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Justice Routes, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, UN Joint Statement Illegal AdoptionLeave a comment

Investigations are only the beginning. Lynelle discusses real solutions to address past illicit adoptions and prevent future human rights violations.

Who controls adoption archives?

On July 13, 2026July 8, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, adoption and power imbalance, adoption archives, adoption conversations, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Adoption Research, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Archives are not neutral. Durga, an adoptee researcher reveals how access to information, identity, and human rights are shaped by power.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 6

On July 4, 2026May 27, 2026 By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, Adoption Attachment, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption estrangement, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth family trauma, Birth Parents Searching, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Finding biological mother, First family responsibility, first family separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Justice Routes, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Lived experience leadership, Motherloss, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Peer Support, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRCLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin reflect on truth, accountability, grief, and whether honesty can create deeper connection within adoption.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 5

On June 27, 2026May 27, 2026 By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption conversations, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Finding biological mother, First family responsibility, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Costs, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, reunion trauma, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin reflect on reunion, first families, identity, grief, and the responsibilities created through adoption.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 4

On June 20, 2026May 27, 2026 By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption and silence, adoption conversations, Adoption Conversations, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, Adoptive parents, Citizenship in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Finding biological mother, Generational trauma, Grief and Loss, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not ready for Reunion, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin explore power, identity, records access, citizenship, reunion, and the lifelong impacts of adoption.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 3

On June 13, 2026May 27, 2026 By lynellelongIn Adjustment and Transition, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, Adoption Conversations, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption estrangement, Adoption questions, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, Adoptive parents, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, State responsibilities in adoption, Survival mechanisms, Transracial AdoptionLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin explore silence, emotional protection, loyalty, and why difficult adoption conversations often break down.

When search doesn’t lead to reunion: A Bulgarian adoptee’s reality

On May 13, 2026May 12, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Names, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Attachment, Adoption questions, Bulgaria, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Finding biological mother, Forced separation, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Post Adoption Support, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Searching but no reunion in adoption, Sense of Belonging, Trauma in Adoption, USA1 Comment

Nicole, adopted from Bulgaria, shares the painful reality of searching for origins, identity, and family—while learning to live without answers.

Why Hague Convention States must take responsibility for post adoption costs

On April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption policy, adoption reform, Adoptive Country, Advocacy, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Financials of intercountry adoption, Hague Special Commission, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Lived experience leadership, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Costs, Post Adoption Support, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Therapy, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Lynelle argues Hague States must address post-adoption costs, regulating services, ensuring accountability, and preventing exploitation of adoptees.

Adoption Across a Lifetime: Why Reform Must Move Beyond the Child-Centric Lens

On April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Education for Professionals, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Intercultural struggles, Is adoption the best option, Justice Routes, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRCLeave a comment

Lynelle's opening keynote on intercountry adoption, exploring identity, lifelong impacts, and the urgent need to reform systems beyond a child-centric lens.

Understanding the Grief Adoptees Carry

On April 9, 2026March 12, 2026 By lynellelongIn Adoptee vulnerability, Australia, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Intercultural struggles, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Survival mechanisms, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, VietnamLeave a comment

Intercountry adoptees often carry deep grief from separation, identity loss, and culture. Understanding begins with witnessing.

When Adoption Erases Sisters

On March 25, 2026March 11, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Activism, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Attachment, adoption reform, Advocacy, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Legal Action taken by Adoptees, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sri Lanka, State responsibilities in adoption, Suicide, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

A Sri Lankan adoptee, Sita, in the Netherlands shares why restoring identity and family ties must follow the ending of international adoption.

Finding My Bangladeshi Mother

On February 7, 2026February 5, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn Adoption questions, Bangladesh, Complexities in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Finding biological mother, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Return to Birth Country, Rights in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Sweden, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Sofia shares her journey from Bangladesh to Sweden and the profound moment DNA testing confirmed her biological mother is alive.

Crying out your name

On January 3, 2026January 2, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Artists, Adoptee vulnerability, Birth Parents Searching, Canada, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Haiti, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Origins Search, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, UncategorizedLeave a comment

A poignant song by Haitian adoptee, Sabine, in Quebec exploring separation, identity, two families, and enduring love between mother and child across distance.

From Silence to Self: An Adoptee’s Song

On December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee Anger, Adoptee Artwork, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption questions, Adoptive parents, Belgium, Complexities in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Grief and Loss for adoptive parents, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Motherloss, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Survival mechanisms, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, VietnamLeave a comment

Cao shares a song written across decades, exploring search, grief, identity, and healing after loss, silence, and self-acceptance.

Australia’s History and Silence on Illicit and Illegal Intercountry Adoptions: A Record of Inaction

On November 4, 2025November 4, 2025 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, Adoption Agencies, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Adoptive Country, Advocacy, Australia, Birth Parents Searching, Chile, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Ethiopia, Forced separation, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Justice Routes, Korea, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Romania, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, VietnamLeave a comment

Australia’s silence on illicit and illegal intercountry adoptions and ICAV’s 20-year fight for truth, justice, and recognition of adoptee rights continues

Intercountry adoptees taking legal action and reclaiming our rights

On October 17, 2025May 21, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Abuse in Adoption, Adoptee Anger, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Discharge Annulment, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Adoptive parents, Advocacy, Australia, Belgium, Birth Parents Searching, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Citizenship in Adoption, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Denmark, Deportation of Adoptees, Difficult discussions in adoption, Ethiopia, Forced separation, France, Generational trauma, Germany, Gratitude in Adoption, Guatemala, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, India, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Italy, Justice Routes, Korea, Legal Action taken by Adoptees, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, New Zealand, Norway, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, UK, UN Joint Statement Illegal Adoption, USA, Vietnam, What is an Illegal and Illicit Adoption?Leave a comment

Intercountry adoptees worldwide are taking legal action to expose illegal adoptions, demand truth, and push for justice, accountability, and human rights reform.

Abandoned: its meaning and context

On September 4, 2025September 3, 2025 By Guest BloggerIn Abandonment and Rejection, Adoptee Anger, Adoptee Names, Adoptee Search Service Orgs, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption questions, Birth family trauma, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Ethiopia, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Grief and Loss, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Return to Birth Country, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Survival mechanisms, Transracial Adoption, USALeave a comment

Andrea Kay helps us uncover the truth beyond the label 'abandoned' with DNA searching—bringing hope and rediscovery to Ethiopian adoptees and their families.

Book Review: Somewhere Sisters & Daughters of the Bamboo Grove

On August 3, 2025July 27, 2025 By lynellelongIn Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Book, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth family trauma, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Birth parents speak out, China, China, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Religion and Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Trauma in Adoption, Twins in adoption, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

Lynelle reviews Somewhere Sisters and Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, exploring identity, nature vs. nurture, and the truths of twins separated by intercountry adoption.

Self Reflections

On July 26, 2025August 4, 2025 By Guest BloggerIn Abandonment and Rejection, Adoptee Anger, Adoptee Artists, Adoptee vulnerability, Art therapy, colourblindness in adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, denial gaslighting minimisation by others, Difficult discussions in adoption, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Importance of Connections to Origins, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Poetry by Adoptees, Racial Mirrors, Russia, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, USALeave a comment

Hannah reflects as a Russian Asian intercountry adoptee on identity, belonging, loss, and the emotional complexities of adoption.

What rights should intercountry adoptees have?

On May 30, 2025May 19, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Discharge Annulment, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Deportation of Adoptees, Difficult discussions in adoption, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Hague Special Commission, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Lived experience leadership, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Sexual Abuse in Adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Lynelle writes about the rights that are to be enshrined in law and practice to create a system that upholds justice, transparency and dignity for every adoptee