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End of Anonymity: Is just knowing a name enough?
I cannot believe that Michael Jackson is dead. I'm still in shock. While he was alive there has been little media coverage on his children. They were always covered by either masks or veils and the public was left to wonder, do they look like their father? Who is their mother?
My parents used an anonymous 'sperm donor' to conceive me back in the mid 1960's and I've been involved in advocating for the identity rights of those conceived from the same method of conception as myself for the past 5-6 years. I and others, want to see an end to anonymous 'sperm/egg donations/vending' and 'traditional surrogacy'.
Since Michael Jackson's passing, if you Google search "sperm donor" you will find numerous articles on the nature of his children's conception. Did Michael Jackson use a 'sperm donor' and/or 'egg donor' and/or 'surrogate' to bring his children into the world?
I haven't seen pictures of his children until just recently and I have to say, they don't look much like their dad. Regardless, Michael Jackson was their dad. No one is perfect and I haven't ever spoken with his children but I'd bet that they adored him regardless of their biological/non-biological relationship with him. No doubt, they are in profound mourning and will require years to come to full (if ever) acceptance of their loss.
I do wonder though if they feel as confused over their 'donor/surrogate' conception as I and many other 'donor' conceived feel? Do they wonder who their genetic father/ mother/ grandparents/ siblings/ cousins/ ancestry/ heritage are? Do they feel a loss?
Now that their dad is gone, will they feel more open to explore what their 'donor' conception/surrogacy means to them? Will it take having children of their own to fully explore their feelings and how it relates to their own children to search for more information?
I advocate for the end of anonymity in relation to 'sperm/egg' donation/vending and surrogacy, but I also do not think that just knowing a name is enough. I believe everyone does have a responsibility for their own sperm/egg when combined to create a new (out of the womb) life (including 'sperm/egg donors' and 'surrogates') that includes more than just identity disclosure – and nothing less than open doors and open hearts.
Michael Jackson's children are not abandoned by any means but are they genetic orphans? I hope not. No doubt, there are many people willing to be involved and supportive in their lives but is that enough? I hope and pray that their genetic father/mother/grandparents and extended family have also kept their doors wide open to these children. Love might make a family but we can't just write off genetics and the importance of genetic/biological family. They all matter.
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RE: All the custody issues being written about on blogs and in the media - Please STOP and stay out of it! This isn't about who is better/important/entitled than who or whose rights trump another. "WE" have NO IDEA about the politics or emotions behind any of this. My heart and prayers go out to those children. What ever is decided, I hope all adults will put their interests behind them and focus on the best interests of the children. As I noted before, biological/non-biological ALL MATTER. Work together folks!
Comments
infertile couples go thro hell....
i hope you live to be a childless person be made fun of, be depressed and think of getting into the sperm/egg donor business to get a child who you will relate to as your child, your true friend and everything you have in the world. true friends are hard to come by, but when you have a child and develop a good relationship that is all that counts in this world. that is the only true relationship that is filled with true love and concern. I have lived to witness this and i know the agony your parents were in to a point that they had you they way they did....it was not an easy choice for them to make, but it was the alternative next to none.
I'm not making fun of
I'm not making fun of anyone. I KNOW that wanting something very badly and not being able to have that is very very difficult and painful. I have not suffered from the specific pain you speak of, but I have suffered from the pain of not knowing, or being allowed to have a meaningful relationship with my biological father/paternal grandparents/half siblings/ancestry and heritage. So, I do know the pain you speak of, from the mirror side.
Each and everyone of us are
Each and everyone of us are fortunate enough to have listened and danced to the music of Michael Jackson. I also appreciated his great wit as an artist and for becoming a huge inspiration to every generation. But now, he's gone and he will forever be missed. His death was so sudden and shocking. He was gone too soon. Many people's heart are hurting right now, especially for those who know him personally. June 25 was the saddest day for the music industry where MJ hails. That day, Michael Jackson was taken by ambulance in the afternoon of June 25th, 2009, with symptoms of a heart attack. He passed away soon afterwards. The news of Michael Jackson passing away is troubling, as he was set to begin a comeback and was only 50 years of age. The Jackson family commented soon after he was admitted that he was in bad shape. The King of Pop began his career at a very young age as a member of the Jackson 5, and later had great success as a solo artist, including Thriller – the best selling album of all time - and many thought he'd never need to think of payday lenders again – RIP Michael Jackson.
Fantasy Families
This is about the kids not the Jacksons. Whether or not he abused the children he was accused of, and I doubt he did, the fact is he has abused "his" three kids from hanging them out of windows or from refusing them access to their mothers and fathers. His relationship with those kids should have been stopped years ago and the only reason it wasn't was because of who he was. He collected white babies like Madonna collects pikininis and she will no doubt dump them when it suits her biological kids and when they don't pay their way as part of her "re-inventions". The rich abuse we adults in many ways but should the world stand idly by and watch them abusing kids? The director of Everychild was quite right in what she said about Madonna and how she is damaging children not helping them. That is the definition of abuse in anyone's language and just because these people can persuade a foreign court to ignore their own rules by spending money or bully a mother in a hick local jurisdiction into giving up her own children doesn't mean the higher courts shouldn't step in as a matter of urgency and ensure all of these children are introduced to their real families rather than remaining as a part of some madman or madwoman's fantasy family. The man who more than any other MJ said had caused him heartache was his father Joe, does the court really want those kids to be under the influence of such an evil twisted ogre?
Note to the bio-father/mother(s) of Michael Jackson's children
http://www.proudparenting.com/node/3255
Note to the biological father and mother's of Michael Jackson's children
How WONDERFUL it would be if the biological father and mother's of Michael Jackson's children, step forward, publicly acknowledge their connection and state to the world that they love, care for and will make themselves available to these (their biological) children if and when they ever want or need to find them and/or be a part of their lives.
This is an opportunity to REALLY make a difference and set an example for others to follow.
The 'donor' and 'surrogate' conceived of the world would be greatly thankful.
More solidarity and support for Michael Jackson's children
http://cryokidconfessions.blogspot.com/2009/06/letter-to-prince-michael-...
"A letter to Prince Michael, Paris, and "Blanket" Jackson
By now you have probably heard all the major media outlets advertising that your dad is not your biological father, and that your mom is not your biological mother. I can only imagine how hard this must be, just days after your dad tragically died.
I am so sorry that you had to find out the truth this way, it's a cruel thing to do to a child - hide the truth about your identity and let strangers reveal it maliciously to you. Parents sometimes make these decisions (to keep a secret) thinking they are protecting their children. However, usually it backfires. Unfortunately, because of who your daddy was, this backfire has been made public and the entire world is watching you. It's not fair, but make the best out of a bad situation.
But don't feel alone. There are thousands (maybe millions) of kids out there just like you - conceived artificially and denied the right to EVER know who their biological parents are. You three can change this!! Stories are flying around that your dad's dermatologist is your biological father. If this is true, you deserve to know, to know him - as your father. Ask questions, demand answers! Not only can you find answers for yourself, you can help thousands of other kids and adults out there who were conceived the same way!
Your daddy will always be your daddy, nobody can take that away - and it will take time to mourn his passing. But you also have a biological father out there, and you carry half his genes. His is part of you - he even looks like you! While nothing can mask the loss of your daddy, I hope that your biological father will step up and give you guidance and love, and support through this rough time and as you grow up. You deserve that as children and as human beings.
You also deserve to know your biological mother, and I hope for your sake that she stands up and acknowledges herself to you and provides love and support. A child needs both a mom and a dad, and to have only one and lose him is tragic but to be denied the ability to know both biological parents is horrific.
If you ever come across this, in a few weeks, a few months, even a few years - please know that you're not alone and that there are many others out there pleading for these same rights...and that one day we will prevail."
I feel like donor conceived
I feel like donor conceived is very disrespectful of MJ's children. Their father just died, and you are talking about the "biological parents," for all we know they may already know their biological parents. Don't judge someone when you have no knowledge of what you are talking about. The children are already traumatized, now people are trying to drag them in all this drama. Let them grieve please.
wpsequra, Noted. I
wpsequra,
I certainly do not mean any disrespect. I am not judging, just trying in my own way to be supportive in relation to nature of this blog and my advocacy. Yes, they need to grieve and my heart and prayers go out to them. I just hope their bio-father/mother reach out to them. I know several who have experienced the rejection of a bio-donor-father - I/we don't want to see that happen to them - or any future 'donor' conceived.