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Same-sex rights bills progress in Oregon legislature
by Jason N. Reed | News Reporter |
One opponent of the bill, the Oregon Family Council, says it are "mainly focused on preventing harmful legislation from becoming Oregon law." Its Web site, www.defenseofmarriagecoalition.org, said its reasoning in opposing SB 2 includes insufficient religious exemption, no evidence of broad discrimination, and the requirement of Oregon schools to teach on the subject of gay and lesbian sexuality, among others.
Bryan Boyd, communications coordinator for Basic Rights Oregon, said opponents of SB 2 have been contradictory in their statements about civil unions for the gay and lesbian community, which "purely shows they are anti-gay and anti-basic fairness for all Oregonians."
HB 2007 would grant same-sex couples benefits similar to those offered to married couples, such as joint health care. At least one of the individuals must be an Oregon resident and the recognition of a domestic partnership is not enforceable in other states.
According to the bill, "many gay and lesbian Oregonians have formed lasting, committed, caring and faithful relationships with individuals of the same sex, despite long-standing social and economic discrimination. Many of the rights, benefits and responsibilities that the families of married couples take for granted cannot be obtained in any way other than through state recognition of committed same-sex partnerships."
Both bills are headed for the House floor, with a vote likely to take place sometime in the middle of the week. Last month Gov. Ted Kulongoski publicly stated his approval of the legislation and, if either bill makes it through for him to sign, the chances of it being approved appear to be very high.
Contact the city, state politics reporter at jreed@dailyemerald.com
Bryan Boyd, communications coordinator for Basic Rights Oregon, said opponents of SB 2 have been contradictory in their statements about civil unions for the gay and lesbian community, which "purely shows they are anti-gay and anti-basic fairness for all Oregonians."
HB 2007 would grant same-sex couples benefits similar to those offered to married couples, such as joint health care. At least one of the individuals must be an Oregon resident and the recognition of a domestic partnership is not enforceable in other states.
According to the bill, "many gay and lesbian Oregonians have formed lasting, committed, caring and faithful relationships with individuals of the same sex, despite long-standing social and economic discrimination. Many of the rights, benefits and responsibilities that the families of married couples take for granted cannot be obtained in any way other than through state recognition of committed same-sex partnerships."
Both bills are headed for the House floor, with a vote likely to take place sometime in the middle of the week. Last month Gov. Ted Kulongoski publicly stated his approval of the legislation and, if either bill makes it through for him to sign, the chances of it being approved appear to be very high.
Contact the city, state politics reporter at jreed@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Carol
posted 4/17/07 @ 5:05 PM PST
Do you know how many couples have lasted for five or more years? How does this compare with the number of hetero couples that have lasted for more than five years? Probably quite a difference in these two numbers. (Continued…)
Jennifer Ferragan
posted 4/18/07 @ 6:12 PM PST
My name is Jennifer and I and 17 years old and go to Reynolds high school, and everyone I talked to about SB2 all agreed that it would be very unsafe for both the straight and not straight people. (Continued…)
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