Earlier this year, in a historic vote, the Oregon Legislature passed two monumental gay rights bills. The first creates domestic partnerships, which grant all the state rights of marriage to committed gay and lesbian couples. The second creates a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
But the weird thing about Oregon is that even if the legislature passes a law, people who oppose it can put it on the ballot for a popular vote. All they have to do is collect a certain number of signatures. Like 55,000 in this case. We just found out that the anti's failed to collect enough signatures to put our rights on the ballot. The law passed by our elected officials stands!
Beginning January 1, 2008, no longer will gays, lesbians and trans people be fired from their jobs simply for who they are. No longer will restaurants have the right to refuse to serve us. No longer will lesbian couples be refused rooms at hotels on the coast because they walk up to the counter holding hands.
Beginning January 1, 2008, gay and lesbian couples who choose to enter into a domestic partnership will get all the privileges, immunities, rights and benefits given to married couples in Oregon.
Yea Oregon! We Love You!
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