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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 2, 2004)
* aprii 2.2004 (WT!T7TWimieu>s S ee Y ou in C ourt Lawsuit seeks marriage equality for same-sex couples in Oregon by Jim R ado sta a portlanJ classic dinner is served tuesday throuxh thursday 5:30 til 9pm friday and Saturday 5 30 til IOpm since i 903 Besaw's 2301 NW Savier St. 503-228-2619 hair • skin • makeup • massage 2328 nw westover rd • Portland, or 97210 dolcesalon.citysearch.com • 503-2267802 KAREN M. 5 WEIGERT, GERT, O bstetrics and Gynecology L PHOTOS BY MARTY DAVIS 816 NW 23rd Avenue Portland, OR 97210 Ph/Fx: (503) 295-7965 T he American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit March 24 chal lenging an Oregon law that discriminates against same-sex couples by denying them marriage and the rights and protections that come with it. “Oregon’s constitution doesn’t allow people to he discriminated against because they are lesbian and gay, but that’s exactly what Oregon’s marriage law does,” said Jann Carson, A C LU of Oregon associate director. “H ie lawsuit we filed today will help us get this issue addressed by the courts as quickly as possible so that same-sex couples Julie Williams (left) and Coieen Belisle explain why they will no longer have to face family are suing the state of Oregon for marriage equality during hardships because they are un a press conference March 24 at Holocene protected by the law.” The lawsuit was brought on behalf of nine represented by the A C L U ’s Ken Choe and Port same-sex couples and Basic Rights Oregon. land attorney Lynn Nakamoto. Four of the couples are already married after Public Hearings Filled with Emotion receiving licenses in Multnomah County, two of the couples were hoping to get licenses from Benton County before it decided to stop issuing he Multnomah County Commission held a all marriage licenses, two couples were denied series of intense public hearings March 25, marriage licenses in Lane County, and one of March 31 and April 1 to give citizens an oppor the couples has not applied yet. (See related tunity to testify about same-sex marriage. Chair article on Page 16.) Diane Linn said 225 people weighed in on the issue altogether. “Marriage is a commitment shared by two During the April 1 hearing, the testimony people who love each other and agree to look out for each other during the good times and the was relatively balanced between supporters and bad,” said Roey Thorpe, BRO executive direc opponents of same-sex marriage. Several newly tor. “Two adults who make this personal choice weds thanked the commissioners for recognizing to form a lifelong commitment should not be their relationships, while the anti-gay crowd denied the right to marry just because they are cited biblical passages and linked homosexuality to AIDS, pedophilia, incest, bestiality and “the gay or lesbian.” beginning of the end of Western civilization.” The A CLU filed the lawsuit in accordance After listening to hours of testimony, the with an agreement among the parties already commissioners voted 4-1 to reaffirm their sup involved in cases that began after Multnomah County started issuing licenses March 3. Cases port of the county’s decision to end marriage dis hrought hy the Defense of Marriage Coalition, crimination based on gender and sexual orienta which sought to invalidate the marriages of tion. Linn said talks will continue about how same-sex couples, will he dismissed on the con the process could have been handled better. dition that it is allowed to participate in the In another positive development, the Mult A C LU lawsuit. nomah County Charter Review Committee voted March 23 against referring a charter A hearing on the constitutional issues raised in the complaint is expected in mid-April before amendment banning same-sex marriage to the Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Frank November ballot. Also, the Multnomah Coun- Bearden, who said he intends to move the case ty Citizen Involvement Com mittee voted through the trial court quickly. The couples are March 18 against resolutions to punish the com- T L F Phone 503 274-9936 IRGANICS TO YOU We deliver fresh organic produce from local farmers Donor Ineemination Bins ranging from $20-$49 C mca À i [jtdUk, PC 104O N.W. 22nd, Suite 330, Portland, OR 97210 W estover H eights Fruit-Only & Vegetable-Only bins available Offering general internal www.organicstoyou.org 5a oty@hevanet.com LINNTON FEED & SEED. medicine and excelling N $ i £ O T T H E M A L We carry multi-pure water systems 10920 NW St. Helens Rd f 2330 NW Flanders, Suite 207 Serving the community for 2 2 yearn 503 . 236.6496 Available weekly or twice a month in sexual health care 5 0 3 -2 2 6 -6 6 7 8 straight to your door. Bins vary in size from small to large and contain a variety o f items. ” W P o r t l a n d , OR 97231 ¿¡ 4 - Phone: 503.286.1291 L -
