Committee sends civil-union bill to full Oregon Senate

AP ^ | 6/24/05 | Charles E. Beggs

[Crackingham]

Gay couples would get benefits similar to those of marriage and gain protection against discrimination in jobs, housing and public accommodations under a bill approved yesterday by the Senate Rules Committee. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week in the first vote in either chamber of the Legislature on creating a civil-union law giving same-sex partners virtually all the legal rights available under marriage laws. Such rights could include inheritance benefits, like entitlement to pensions or to other property when a partner dies, and the right to make medical decisions for a partner.

The bill also adds sexual orientation to a law that forbids discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, religion and several other factors.

Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland, chief sponsor of the bill and Senate majority leader, believes the measure can pass in the Senate, where it has bipartisan support. But the bill's chances aren't considered good in the Republican-run House. Some leaders there back an alternate proposal to grant limited "reciprocal" benefits to any two people over 18, including relatives and same-sex couples.

Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski supports civil unions and has made anti-discrimination protections for gays a high priority.

Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, said he will offer a substitute bill that would generally forbid discrimination in the state without "creating new lists of protected classes." He also said the civil-union provisions amount to "marriage by another name."

[EternalVigilance]

He also said the civil-union provisions amount to "marriage by another name."

Yep. Unholy matrimony.

[balch3]

People's Republic of Oregon.

[AmericanArchConservative]

Politics as usual (unfortunately) where I live. Freaks and their enablers...

A.A.C.

[goldstategop]

Its unconstitutional. But that hasn't stopped the Democrats from gutting the state's Constitution declaration the only valid and recognized marriages in Oregon and elsewhere are those contracted between a man and a woman. The contempt of legislators for the will of the people knows no bounds.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[aimhigh]

The readers should note that Nike, one of Oregon's largest firms, has strongly endorsed the homo-promo bill.

[coffeebreak]

Homosexual groups give large amounts of money to politicians for their campaigns. They expect a return on their investment. That's why these issues are raised by the Governor and legislature.

Hopefully the House will kill this garbage.

[Salvation]

Oregon Ping

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[oceanperch]

"Good Greif" /Charlie Brown

Why not add mistresses of Married hetro's to the bill after all let's be fair. /sarcasm

[blackie]

Stop the homosexual insanity NOW!

Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!

[judgeandjury]

The Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week in the first vote in either chamber of the Legislature on creating a civil-union law giving same-sex partners virtually all the legal rights available under marriage laws. Such rights could include inheritance benefits, like entitlement to pensions or to other property when a partner dies, and the right to make medical decisions for a partner.

This measure would give any two people, regardless of their sexual orientation, these same rights if they chose to enter into a civil union. Even a heterosexual man and a heterosexual woman could choose to enter into a civil union if, for whatever reason, they chose not to have a traditional marriage.

[coffeebreak]

Response to post 11:

A civil union between two people of the opposite sex is called marriage. We've already got it and we've had it for thousands of years.

No union of people of the same sex should be recognized by this state or any state. Homosexuals should be trying to figure out what's wrong with them and stop trying to force their behavior on the rest of us. Homosexual behavior is abnormal.