03/03/2008
Oregon Lawmakers File Initiative to Overturn Domestic Partner Law
Sen. Fred Girod (R-Stayton) and state Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-Medford) have filed paperwork that says they intend to overturn the state's new domestic partner law, Williamette Week reports.
They'll need to collect nearly 83,000 signatures by July 3 to make that happen.
Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Jeana Frazzini doesn't think it'll happen: "I don't expect that they will find the support to overturn this important law ... Basic Rights Oregon will have to fight this with every resource we have. That means, in the next four to six weeks we will be working with our attorney, through the ballot title process, to ensure that the impact of this initiative is fully understood by voters. In the past their efforts were [to] deny access to rights. This time they are trying to take away the rights of fellow Oregonians."
Oregon's domestic partner law went into effect at the beginning of February, following a temporary suspension during which requests by 'pro-family' groups to look into the signature count on a failed referendum drive were considered.
Proposed Repeal of Oregon's Domestic Partnership Is Filed [williamette week]
Posted 5:30 PM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Marriage, News, Oregon | Permalink
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To quote a scene from Hedwig in the Angry Inch, "Are you tired? I'm tired. I think we're both just very, very tired"
I live in Oregon so I have had ringside seat for this nightmare. To recap:
--Portland City Commissioners decide to start issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples.(Nothing in the state constitution prohibits it)
--A judge stays the issuing of licenses.
--Petitions circulate to create a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. They get the require sigs and it goes on the ballot.
--The state votes on the amendment and it PASSES!! A shock, lemme tell you. Oregon is one step off libertarian and they don't limit rights very often.
--Several of the city commissioners involved in issuing the marriage licenses lose their seats on the commission over the issue.
--All gay marriage licenses are nullified.
--2 years pass.
--The democrats retake the state legislature for the first time in 12 some years. First order of business...creating a dom partner bill. Its passes.
--A judge issues a stay on issuing dom partner licenses to allow the religious bigots to try and get enough sigs to repeal the new law.
--The bigots fail to get enough sigs. They start issuing licenses.
--Now these two republicans are trying ALL over again. They try for the sigs, probably get them and we'll all vote on it again...In an election year. Just like the gay marriage ban was during the last Bush election. Let me tell you, its ONLY because of Bush mania that the marriage ban passes in the first place.
"Are you tired? I'm tired. I think we're both just very, very tired."
Posted by: Jay | Mar 3, 2008 7:03:05 PM
Jay,
It's all a GOP scheme to get their precious religious "base" riled up during an election year. Look at what's happening south of the border. The Republican led California Supreme Court schedules a hearing on gay marriage for March 2008 (and will issue a ruling over the summer). Just in time for the presidential election.
This, despite the fact that they've been sitting on this issue for years now. They claim the appeals process has taken so long because the court has been swamped with so many briefs. Uh huh, and I'm Santa Claus. And the worse part is... it doesn't even have anything to do with California or Oregon.
They're putting on a little horror show for the people in Texas and Alabama. It's time to trot out:
Dead Chicago voters!
Taxsachusetts!
Hollywood liberal!
San Francisco values!
France!
Black Muslims!
Posted by: John | Mar 3, 2008 9:11:40 PM
It is time to start calling these people what they are STRAIGHT SUPREMISTS.
Just like the WHITE SUPREMISTS before them the STRAIGHT SUPREMISTS just use the bible and religion to maintain a status quo that benefits them --- and in the case of religious leaders and politicians gains them money and power.
STRAIGHT SUPREMISTS also hate it when you call them that. The truth hurts.
Posted by: RJP3 | Mar 3, 2008 10:59:15 PM
Rep. Sal Esquivel has known and worked with many gay people in Southern Oregon for years and even at one time considered them his friends. I have to wonder if this is an attempt to garner popularity rather than his own personal feelings. Doesn't he realize that ship has sailed. Call Sal and let him know what you think of his hate: Office: 541-494-4944 Cell: 541-821-0771 Fax: 541-494-4945 http:/www.esquivelandassociates.com/sal.htm
Posted by: SSE | Mar 4, 2008 12:00:57 PM
I really couldn't way it better than JAY! I don't know I am so surprised, maybe it is disappointment. Glad I found this site though.
Posted by: Wendy | Mar 4, 2008 12:45:04 PM