Stop the Stigma Campaign -- Arkansas

Stop the ~~Stigma~~ Campaign

Arkansas

The following letter has been sent to the organizations and individuals listed in the left column.

After we have received endorsements from some influential individuals and groups in Arkansas, AASP will be writing to the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court about this problem. Our political affiliate, Singles Rights Lobby, will contact the Governor and key legislative leaders to request their support for appropriate legislative reforms.

We will post progress in Arkansas as it occurs.

June 24, 2000

Each year about 35 percent of births in Arkansas involve children born to unmarried parents. As you know, unwed births are not a new phenomena. A large segment of adults in the state were born when their parents were not married.

Our research has disclosed that Arkansas is one of 37 states which continues to stigmatize such children. Arkansas has statutes on the books which refer to children born outside of wedlock as "illegitimate." Some judges also refer to these children as "illegitimate." Worse yet, the stigma of "bastardy" is actually written into the Arkansas Constitution.

We believe that it is time to stop the name calling. Statutes are the embodiment of the collective will of the people. Judges are supposed to be fair and impartial. We think you would agree that it is not fair to label children in such a derogatory manner. We also think you would find it hard to believe, as we do, that the citizens of Arkansas would want to brand children in such a demeaning way.

Part of the mission of AASP is to end marital status bias against unmarried adults and their families. In furtherance of this goal, we have launched a Stop the Stigma Campaign. The enclosed brochure explains more about the campaign which is being conducted state by state.

The first step in the campaign in Arkansas is to alert key organizations and leaders about the problem and to ask them to endorse this effort. After we have received several individual and organizational endorsements we plan to approach the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court to request that guidelines be issued calling for an end to such name calling from the bench. Our political affiliate – Singles Rights Lobby – will approach the Governor and legislative leaders to suggest an appropriate revision of the offending statutes.

I am writing to you with two requests. First, we would like you to personally endorse this campaign. Second, we would be pleased if you would ask one or more groups with which you are affiliated to give an organizational endorsement of the campaign as well.

Enclosed you will find a response form and a reply envelope for your convenience. Please fill out the form and return it to us at your earliest opportunity. Your personal endorsement would be appreciated and will be valuable to the success of this campaign.

Also, let us know if there is any other information we can provide to assist you in obtaining organizational endorsements. If you would like more brochures we can mail them to you or to anyone you suggest.

With support from bar associations, human rights groups, single parent organizations, and groups that care about children, we believe this problem can be resolved without unnecessary delay. It is hard to imagine any leaders or organizations opposing this project.

Since you may not be familiar with AASP, I am enclosing some materials to give you an overview of AASP and its mission. Stigmatization of children born to unmarried parents is only one of many areas in which single people experience discrimination.

You may want to visit our website – www.unmarriedAmerica.com – to learn more about AASP and the concerns of America’s 80 million unmarried adults.

A section of our website also contains information about the Stop the Stigma Campaign. You can find it at www.unmarriedAmerica.com/stop-stigma.htm.

Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to your reply.

Very truly yours,

Thomas F. Coleman
Executive Director

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