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Basic Rights Oregon endorses Jeff Merkley

In an unusual move, the Board of Directors of Basic Rights Oregon announced today that it has endorsed Jeff Merkley in the race for U.S. Senate. Basic Rights Oregon has only made three federal endorsements. The last time was in May, when the Board voted to endorse Merkley in the Primary. The Board’s decision was motivated, in part, by recent political ads from the Smith campaign depicting him as a leader on gay rights. 

“As the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and its allies in Oregon, we want to ensure that fair-minded voters understand: Jeff Merkley is the clear choice in this race,” said Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Jeana Frazzini in a strongly worded statement. “Basic Rights Oregon represents thousand of LGBT Oregonians and their allies. We know the kind of leadership this community needs, and it’s not Gordon Smith.” 

Frazzini said voters who care about equal rights for all Oregonians should make a close comparison of the candidates’ records. 

“As House Speaker, Jeff led the charge on passing Oregon’s nondiscrimination law, ensuring that no one can lose their home or be fired from their job just because they are gay,” Frazzini said. “And he championed Oregon’s domestic partnership law, giving committed couples the legal recognition they need to care for one another in a crisis. We need a fighter like Jeff Merkley in the U.S. Senate,” Frazzini said. 

In stark contrast, Frazzini said, Gordon Smith has failed to deliver on equality. 

“There is only one thing that fair-minded Oregonians can count on from Gordon Smith, and that is that every six years, he will roll out a hate crimes advertisement in the Portland media market in an effort to look like a moderate,” Frazzini said. “But most national and local gay organizations know the truth about Gordon Smith, and that’s why they decline to endorse him.” 

Frazzini pointed out that Smith lent his face and name to mailers in favor of Measure 36, a 2004 constitutional amendment that banned committed gay couples from marrying in Oregon. 

“It’s one thing to have a difference of opinion about marriage,” Frazzini said. “But Smith actively campaigned to make gay and lesbian Oregonians into second class citizens by denying them equal treatment under the law. I cannot emphasize this enough:  Gordon Smith is not a friend to this community.” 

The endorsement decision was made by a vote of Basic Rights Oregon’s Board of Directors.