Democratic Senator Ben Westlund (D-Tumalo) has stood up for and with the LGBT community since he took office. "Equality," he says, "means having the freedom and being afforded the dignity to be yourself."

As a chief sponsor of Senate Bill 1000 in 2005, which would have extended civil union rights to same-sex couples as well as enacted a statewide anti-discrimination policy, Westlund says he is a "passionate" supporter of LGBT rights. He also supported the employee non-discrimination act in 1997 and spoke out in favor of the successful Domestic Partnership and Anti-Discrimination laws in 2007.

Why? "It's really quite simple," he says. "We are no better and no worse than our ability as human beings to accept and learn from all other human beings. So if we disrespect any people than we disrespect ourselves as well."

"Serving in a public capacity as state senator has afforded me a wonderful opportunity to learn about GLBT issues," says Westlund. Learning about the discrimination sexual minorities face has strengthened Westlund's resolve in what he calls, "my sworn constitutional responsibility to ensure that ALL Oregonians receive equal protection under the law."

Westlund says he could cite several examples of people he's known who were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. "The really sad thing," he says, "is what ties these all together. Those situations are all perpetrated because of a lack of understanding and love."