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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 29, 2004)
Speak with an Adviser at the Drop-In Advising Table EMU lobby Tuesdays 11 AM-2 PM O UNIVERSITY OF OREGON I OFF** Of NTBWnONAL PROGRAMS For more information or request for accomodation related to disability, please contact OIP at 346-1238 Specializing in the Care of German Swedish & Japanese Automobiles. Courtesy Van Service Bosch Authorized Service ASE Master Certified Technicians Since 1975 EUR# ASIAN AUTO 485-8226 rM O T I V E 1917 Franklin Blvd., Eugene www.euro-asian.com MARRIAGES continued from page 1 the intervention would slow the case's progress to higher courts. The parties involved in the suit all agreed to an "accelerated timeline" to expedite the case, which will likely decide the con stitutionality of Oregon's existing marriage statutes, according to Kevin Neely, spokesman for Oregon Attor ney General Hardy Myers. A speedy resolution to the case is necessary to bring consistency to counties across the state, Neely said. "Our position is that we need to re solve this matter as quickly as possi ble," he said. On Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit, which consolidates several prior suits for and against same-sex marriage on behalf of nine gay couples. Five of the cou ples were married with county licens es, but were denied legal recognition and marriage licenses by the state, ACLU of Oregon Executive Director David Fidanque said. The other cou ples have been denied marriage li censes by their respective counties. Fidanque said that the ACLU will be arguing on behalf of the nine cou ples that the state's refusal to issue li censes to all couples violates Article 1, Section 20 of the Oregon Constitu tion. Basic Rights Oregon, a gay-rights advocacy group that worked with the ACLU to persuade the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to begin issuing same-sex marriage li censes, is also involved in the case. The Defense of Marriage Coalition and Multnomah County officials will also intervene in the suit to bring all the relevant parties into the case. The Coalition agreed to drop two prior suits designed to halt same-sex mar riage to help expedite the case.. Oral arguments will begin April 19, pending any delays. Judge Bearden's decision will be appealed by the los ing party and will go to the Oregon Court of Appeals, which will decide whether it wants to hear the case or send it directly to the Oregon Supreme Court, Fidanque said. Among the plaintiffs are Universi ty law Professor Dominick Vetri and his longtime partner, Doug DeWitt. Vetri resides in Linn County, which has not granted same-sex marriage li censes. He said the case is both per sonally significant and a milestone Excitement. Adventure. Surprise. Thrills. This ain't your parents travel agency. it's yours Paris.$537 London.$528 Cancun.$466 Costa Rica.$366 Hostels & transfers: 5 nights, 3 islands From: $304 cnncun Fare is round trip from Eugene and prices are per person. Subject to change and availability. Tax not included. Restrictions and blackouts apply. Fares are valid for students, faculty and youth under 26. 5 night accomm. From: $275 STUDENT TRAVEL & BEYOND ; One stop. No hassles. We've got everything you need for your next trip. 877 1/2 East 13th St. (541) 344.2263 TRAVEL | www.statravel.corn" for gay rights. "Marriage is the last major barrier to equal respect and concern under American law for gays and lesbians," Vetri said. While the case makes its way through the court system, the majori ty of counties continue to abide by the attorney general's interpretation of Oregon marriage statutes. Neely said the attorney general ad vised all counties to follow past prac tices by only issuing marriage licenses to male-female couples until a Supreme Court ruling. Fidanque said he approved of Ben ton County's decision to stop issuing marriage licenses to all couples as a temporary measure, adding that cou ples eager to marry can receive a mar riage license from a neighboring county and perform the wedding cer emony in Benton County. "Either you issue licenses to all couples, gay and straight, or you don't issue marriage licenses to any body — that's the only way yoy can treat all couples equally and avoid vi olating the Oregon Constitution," Fi danque said. Benton County commissioners could not be reached for comment. Lane County spokeswoman Melin da Kletzok said the Lane County Board of Commissioners has not of ficially discussed issuing same-sex marriage licenses and is waiting for a Supreme Court decision. But Basic Rights Oregon spokes woman Rebekah Kassell said she is "not satisfied" with Lane County's de cision not to grant same-sex marriage licenses. "It's disappointing that they would not protect the constitutional rights of many citizens who want to get mar ried there," Kassell said. Contact the city/ state politics reporter at parkerhowetl@dailyemerald.com. www.dailyemeraid.com Cat«p HL 500 Headlight freg $m$) $10 10% off 2003 Gufjwr Roadie frames, 1( check Sir website for more Arplete list Trek, Fisher, Raleigh Kona, Lemond, Klein, W Gunnar, and Santa Cruz bikes til 2003 Norco Bikes in Stock PAULS rMU Em O BICYCLE WAY OF LIFE 2480 Alder & 152 W. 5th & Oasis Plaza www.bicycleway.com le weeks in a UW Summer Quarter is open to all qualified applicants For more information, call 800-550-8977 or visit the web site. www.summer.w ashington.edu
