TITLE: Male Adoptees

DESCRIPTION

If you have ever attended a gathering of adoptees, you may have noticed the low number of adoptees who identify as male. There also seems to be less male adoptee representation within modern and social media. Join us as we discuss the complexity of the socially constructed standards of “masculinity” and the male adoptee experience.

In this panel we might discuss:

Do you think male adoptees have enough representation within the community?
What are the nuances of being a male adoptee?
Does the idea of “masculinity” affect how you perceive your identity in relation to being an adoptee?

PANELISTS:

Gene Rush (he/him) is a 32-year-old Chinese transracial adoptee from Wuhan adopted in 1993. He grew up in the Boston area around white family, friends, and community, and only came to explore adoptee communities in 2023. He is passionate about building community, as well as supporting adoptees as they explore their identity and how they fit into this world. He volunteers for Chinese Adoptee Alliance, with the goal of providing meaningful and accessible online events for adoptees across the nation. Gene is honored to be a part of this panel and be in community with other male adoptees.

Jonathan Newbern (he/him) is a same race adoptee adopted as a baby in 1975 in Missouri when Missouri had closed adoption records. Jonathan’s second dad was stationed in the Air Force in Missouri when he was adopted. His second mom was mostly stay-at-home and an alcoholic. His dad was then stationed in Denver, CO in 1978 and Jonathan has lived in the Denver Metro area ever since. He is in contact with his biological mom’s family. Jonathan’s bio aunts and cousins accepted him with open arms and love. His biological mom still does not want to talk to him. Jonathan has a son, daughter, and granddaughter. He also has plus one children from former marriages and his current relationship. Jonathan is an active member of codependents anonymous, a 12 step program. He is excited to be on this panel because he believes and knows we heal a lot quicker and better if we have a soul tribe or support group. He is happy to share life experiences to help others to heal and to not feel like they are alone.

Joe Toolan (he/him/el), born in Guatemala, was adopted in the 90s and grew up in Maryland. He identifies as a queer, latine, indigenous, transracial international adoptee and environmentalist. In 2022, Joe returned to Guatemala for the first time and in 2023, met his biological family. Joe works at GreenLatinos as a Senior Manager for a national coalition, he is also the Chair of Annapolis Pride, and a Commissioner on the State of Maryland Commission for LGBTQIA+ Affairs where he also served as the inaugural Chair from 2022-2023. Joe is excited to share his story about growing up queer, finding himself, and the search for family.

Milton Washington's (he/him) journey began in South Korea at the age of 8 when he was adopted by a Black American military family and became Milton Washington. Raised in a military household, he moved around the United States until settling in New York City at the age of 32. Today Milton is the owner of Harlem-based, ROKMIL Studios, as an award-winning and published photographer. He is also the founder of an "indigenous fitness" program called ROKMIL Fitness, which operates within his cannabis venture known as The ROKMIL. His accomplishments have garnered recognition in publications such as National Geographic, New York Times, The Guardian, Food & Wine, and Video Maker Magazine. Milton's story serves as a testament to his resilience and his ability to embrace creativity in the face of adoption. Milton is looking forward to the discussion because he believes in the catharsis of conversation. He understands the power of a story to inspire and change everything.

Alternate panelist, John McCormick (he/him) is a transracial adoptee born in Bogota in 1994. He has been in reunion since January 2022, and has been reclaiming his Latino identity and culture ever since. He has been back to colombia 3 times as of January 2024, with his latest trip back home was for 2 and a half months to be absorbed in the culture and to spend time with his biological family. John is interested in participating in this panel, to add his stories for other male transracial adoptees to feel connected, seen, heard, or safe while listening to his stories and maybe learn more about themselves in the process.