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Current Headlines
Update: Initiatives filed to repeal Oregon’s domestic partnership AND anti-discrimination laws
Initiatives filed to repeal Oregon’s domestic partnership and anti-discrimination laws
Basic Rights Oregon executive director Jeana Frazzini said today she was not surprised to learn that anti-gay interests have filed initiatives to repeal Oregon’s domestic partnership law and anti-discrimination law. The domestic partnership repeal initiative was filed late Friday by State Senator Fred Girod (R-Stayton) and State Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-Medford). Chief petitioners on the initiative to repeal Oregon’s anti-discrimination law include State Senator Gary George (R-Newberg) and Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer). The second initiative was filed late Monday.
“Our opponents have said all along that they would file again,” Frazzini said. “While I’m not surprised that initiatives to repeal the laws have been filed, I’m shocked that this effort has been spearheaded by legislators whose duty is to protect Oregonians.”
The legislators reportedly agreed to lend their names to the anti-gay measures at the request of Marilyn Shannon, a leader of last year’s failed effort against the laws.
One measure would repeal the state’s domestic partnership law, which gives committed couples the legal recognition necessary to care for one another, especially in a crisis. The other would overturn legislation making discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations against the law. But Frazzini said that both efforts are out of step with Oregon values.
“The truth is that Oregonians don’t want to put their neighbors in harm’s way by taking these laws off the books,” Frazzini said. “Oregonians believe that loving couples who have made a lifelong commitment to one another should have the basic security provided by domestic partnerships. And Oregonians believe that discrimination is wrong.”
Although Frazzini said she feels confident that Oregonians would vote “No” on a repeal of either law, she said that Basic Rights Oregon is prepared for a challenging campaign. “We know that this effort has the support of out-of-state interests with deep pockets,” she said.
The chief petitioners on the initiatives have until July 3 to collect nearly 83,000 signatures to put their petitions on the November 2008 ballot. Frazzini said that Basic Rights Oregon will closely monitor the signature gathering process to ensure that all elections rules are followed. The two groups who sought to force a referendum on the laws in 2007 are under investigation by the Oregon Secretary of State for violating campaign finance laws.
Read the text of the proposed Initiative Petition 144 to repeal Oregon’s domestic partnership law.
Read the text of the proposed Initiative Petition 145 to repeal Oregon’s anti-discrimination law.
Read the text of the Certified Ballot Title for Initiative Petition 144.
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March 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I think I’m about to get more p.o.’d than I’ve ever been. Scratch that. I don’t need to think about it. The Republican leadership in the legislature has absolutely no credibility in trying to pretend that they represent Oregonians. They represent the biased few, and this action makes that perfectly clear. That and it’s obvious they are pandering to their very vocal base, without regard to their duty to the rest of the state.
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
The initiative filed by State Senator Fred Girod
(R-Stayton) and State Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-Medford)
is absurd!
It is the duty of these legislators to
protect Oregonians and their families – they are
truly doing a disservice to the very people they
are supposed to represent.
The fact that this effort has the support of
“out-of-state” interests with “deep pockets” is also
of concern. Many personally believed that this
issue should be left up to each individual State
to decide – Oregon decided to be fair to it’s
families – and then along come the “out-of-state”
lawyers?!?!?! I don’t get it!!! How in the hell can
“out-of-state” lawyers have any sway over what
Oregonians have already voted for???
March 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I don’t understand why they (Sen. Girod and Rep. Esquivel) are so concerned about this!! What harm is having same sex partnerships causing?? The way I see it is, it can cost up to $70 to file for a partnership, this should be seen as a plus as there will be many more people each year filing for partnerships thus bringing more money to the counties and ultimately the state!
These two people are liars in my eyes! When they took office, they promised to protect Oregonians! They are going against their oaths!
(I do solemnly swear (or affirm as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oregon, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of Senator (or Representative as the case may be) according to the best of my Ability, And such oath may be administered by the Govenor (sic), Secretary of State, or a judge of the Supreme Court.)
This law is written as an ammendment to the STATE constitution as a direct effect of the Oregon people voting it into effect. Therefore, the senator and Rep. are going against their oath to SUPPORT the state constituition!
And yes, how in the hell CAN “out of state lawyers” come in and say what is best for OUR state??? Looking at the current state of the economy, our legislators should be thinking of how and what they can to do to at least better the economy in their individual state. Not worrying about repealing a law that has already passed that the Oregon people have already voted for many times! This is just the issue with everything these days, not just in the GLBT world and movements, but everything! Our government is and has been totally focused on all the wrong issues!! What can I do to help get people to understand this? It’s just totally absurd that our state would try to repeal such an insignificant law to the general public when it is only going to make more money and provide protection to more Oregon families!!
March 4th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
While it was expected for the law to be challenged, it is uncomfortable and concerning to see that those who pledged to challenge the law have followed through. I’m sure that the Senators and Representatives who have put their names on this have done so thinking that they are supporting their party and their duty as public servants. While personally, I consider their reasons and views to be short-sighted and not in-line with the desires of all of their constituents; I feel that they may be doing this to help promote their own “future electability.”
The chains of oppression are difficult to shed, especially for the persons that are the oppressors. For those people, it is truly easier to maintain the status quo rather than recognize and take action against the oppression that they perpetuate. Especially in light of the fact, that to take action against that oppression, they would have to admit to their participation in it. These people, and there are many of them, will fight with all that they have to maintain their position in society and their perceived benefits that coincide with that position.
While equal rights are never trivial and always important, these politicians are using our rights to rally their cause which is a reversion to a time of lesser equality and lesser recognition of the GLBT population. Each and every one of us will have to be on guard and ready to fight for our rights, as I’m sure this will be the first of many challenges to them. To those that oppose our recent step toward equality, we are a group that is ever more threatening to those perceived benefits that accompany their social position.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
It’s rediculous, and I just don’t care any
more. Why should we even accept anything short
of equality in the first place. The Domestic
Partnership give people some additional rights,
which is definately needed. BUT, it’s still a
slap in the face to say seperate but equal, or
we give these little rights over hear – now be
quiet.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Shame shame shame. It’s another fine example of how those on the inside point fingers to those on the outside…thereby deferring examination of the inside troubles. It’s much easier to keep the plates spinning if they are spinning on someone else’s table. Funny, because Measure 36 still stands. Doesn’t change a thing. I thought their big hangup was “marriage.” Apparently, that was just a part of it. We’re here to stay, folks. Get used to it.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
[...] Petitioners attempting second appeal of Oregon’s domestic partnership law. Get over it, [...]
March 4th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
The big hangup is that these are intolerant bigoted
extremists who will never accept anything they
disagree with as in any way legitimate or of value.
The true idiocy of their mob rule mentality is that
they fail to realize that with their practices if
some day they are in the minority they are setting
the groundwork for THEIR rights to be infringed
because their policies here are that the majority
has the right to infringe upon the rights of the
minority.
No group is in the majority forever.
But no one ever said these people were nt fools.
In fact they quite obviously are fools.
Bigoted, intolerant, closedminded and shortsighted fools.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
“Marriage” was just an easy cover for homophobia. I’m afraid they won’t ever stop. We’ve been fighting this uphill battle since ‘92. They never stop…they just hope to wear us down.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
It is said “Only a fool argues with a fool”
“A wise man is strong. Yes, a man of knowledge
increases strength; for a wise counsel you will
wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors
there is safety.”
So counsel each other. Do not weaken and do not
believe God loves us less. Gather in multitudes and
stand strong.
It is time.