Welcome to Kevin's Corner (which probably should be named "Kevin's Radical Rant".)

I entered the Guatadopt e-world unintentionally. But when Guatemalan adoptions were going through the Hague crisis in 2003 and my family was stuck in limbo, I couldn't help but get involved. It started with a petition here and there and then progressed into being one of the founders of Families Without Borders. With that, I am proud to say that I was one of the writers of the FWB UNICEF report (at the time, most of us were in-process and scared to have our names attached to it). My involvement grew as a group of San Fran Bay Area families organized and lobbied our elected officials. I can't remember how it happened but somewhere down the line Kelly asked me to start writing for Guatadopt and I graciously accepted.

Writing for a blog on something as emotional as adoption with as diverse a readership as we have is not something I am naturally well suited towards. My writing history has been dominated by being a political opinion writer – someplace where fiery rants get readers. I’ll always remember my college newspaper editor telling me “we don’t care if they love you or hate you, so long as they read you. If you get letters, that means they’re reading you”. I set a new record that semester for letters to the editor.

But adoption is different. Guatadopt’s readers are generally going through what is one of the most traumatic experiences they will ever face. And I am the first to admit that at times my style, language, and no-holds-barred approach isn’t what people need.

On the other side of the coin is that we’re all adults and by now should realize that one size doesn’t fit all. I have to say that for every upset reader’s e-mail I’ve ever received from a Guatadopt reader, I’ve generally received two or three in support. I honestly do not intend to offend or upset people. I’m a good person, a responsible citizen, and one hell of a good father to my kids. I tithe. I don’t lie, cheat or steal. It is interesting to note that this radical freak’s in-laws are deeply religious, conservative people – and they can handle me. In fact, the more we talk about issues we expect to disagree on, the more we find we agree. But I am who I am and my mommy and daddy always taught me to be proud of who I am. I try to instill that same belief in my kids

So in conclusion, welcome to Kevin’s Corner. I can’t promise you will agree with me. I can’t promise you that I won’t offend. But I can promise you that I will be honest, straightforward and sincere. If I weren’t that way, it would be a heck of a lot easier to write non-offensively. I hope that Guatadopt’s new set-up helps to remove any controversy from my writing because now it won’t be on the homepage – you are going to have to look for it.

So it’s your choice.

Peace!