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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2007)
22 , JUStpUt MARÇH 1Ç, 2QQ7 Continued from Page 21 In essence, under HB 2007, civil unions would he different from marriage. Some 1,100 potential federal benefits to married couples would continue The Oregon Family Fairness Act, House Bill to be denied to people united under the new statute. 2007, comes out of the House Ethics, Elections and Rules Committee and would create civil unions There would also he no portability of the bene fits. If a couple had a civil union in Oregon, they that would legitimate and protect same-sex or transgender couples who choose to register with the could still he denied hospital visitation in Nevada. Although some private institutions might elect to state. It would extend many of the protections honor the commitment status, they would not he afforded to straight, married couples to gay couples who are in a committed relationship. Basic legal , legally bound to do so. rights that heterosexual couples have taken for While noting these obvious differences, Boyd granted for years would he extended to gays, includ says BRO believes the hills would essentially meet the immediate goals of providing greater equality ing hospital visits, medical decisions, wrongful death suits, transfer of property, interstate inheri and fairness to Oregon’s queer families. tance, joint custody, adoption of children and Both spokespeople for BRO and allied Salem lawmakers believe that 2007 could be the year both employee partner benefits. This hill’s provisions are different in three key hills pass. As Boyd pointed out, the legislation owes ways from those of SB 1000. Couples would sign a great deal to many hardworking people over a public registry in a county clerk’s office without many years. That includes tireless lobbying work State Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, told activists that civil rights is a priority for the Senate. legal “solemnization” of unions, such as a ceremo ny conducted by a priest, rabbi or public official such as a judge, as with marriage. This would not prevent couples from having legally nonbinding commitment ceremonies. A second key difference is the bill would make civil unions a different legal entity under a sepa rate statute. This is intended to reassure people who do not oppose gay unions hut who feel marriage is a religious and civil institution provid ed for straight couples. Finally, there would he a residency requirement, meaning that couples would have to live in the state. A male or female couple could not visit from other states for the purpose of getting hitched here, as we have seen in other jurisdictions like Vermont or British Columbia. State Rep. Tina Kotek described a climate of equality at the Capitol. lenge any such bill with a referendum in 2008, I occurred nearly 40 years ago, when protections recent polls suggest the majority of Oregonians from police harassment and arbitrary arrest for gays support fairness and equality for sexual minorities. congregating and socializing in their own clubs If Oregon enacts such a law, it will join at least five could not be taken for granted. With the exception other states that already have some type of civil of a few large cities, gays might not have been able union or marriage for gays. to even socialize with their own. Same-sex marriage and legal protection from Other States discrimination for gay people were not even At least 17 states have enacted some legal concepts in the public lexicon. Today, there are protections against discrimination toward queer a number of states with anti-discrimination statutes people. Washington enacted anti-discrimination that include sexual orientation and gender identi measures last year, hut the Legislature is still strug ty and five states that have some form of legal gling to pass civil unions in light of deeming same- unions. Other states, such as Washington, may sex marriage unconstitutional. In 2006, a state soon follow suit. Oregon’s moment may have Supreme Court ruling overturned proposed domes arrived. tic partnership rights. Kulongoski, who had the foresight to appoint There are five states with some type of legal the Task Force on Equality, in combination with status for committed gay relationships. Three are in a Legislature that enjoys a progressive, Demo New England. Massachusetts is the only state in cratic leadership that favors gay civil rights— State Sen. Ben Westlund, D-Tumalo, takes the stage at the Lobby Day rally. and consistent support by the gay and gay-friendly communities in the state. Oregon stands at a threshold that could change forever the second- class status of gays. If SB 2 passes, sexual minority residents could no longer be fired because of their private identi ties—termination would depend on performance on the job—nor denied housing or educational benefits. A transgender person could not be legally refused service in a public restaurant or asked to leave because no bathrooms could be provided. Of course, discrimination might continue. But after the bill passes, queers may bring civil lawsuits to seek redress and punitive damages. If the Legislature passes the two proposed bills, Kulongoski has signaled he will sign them into law. While the Oregon Family Council vows to chal- State House Speaker Jeff Merkley promised to give the bills a day of debate on the House floor. this country to authorize legal marriage for gays. While that law is under legal challenge, it has set a precedent by elevating gay relationships to the same status as heterosexual marriages. By this high standard, the other states with unions come up short, but they do attempt to provide some legal framework for committed gay couples. California has a domestic partnership bill that has been in effect for five years that essential ly gives gays the same rights as straight couples. Vermont, Connecticut and most recently New Jersey have legalized forms of civil unions. Staying the Course Experts say that gays wondering when they will achieve greater equality need only adopt a longer time frame. The Stonewall riots in New York City including the House for the first time in more than a decade—could break the ideological deadlock over gay unions and enact legal protections that gays have been demanding for almost two decades. A strong state advocacy group, Basic Rights Oregon, has worked for years to line up support and develop compelling arguments as well to help write the proposed legislation. Oregon’s gay community has also been toughened, sometimes tragically, by fighting and surviving years of discriminatory bal lot measure campaigns and a same-sex marriage han. This year will either be just another in the bat tle or the most significant year for gay civil rights in Oregon’s history. © J ack TURTELTAUB is a-practicing psychologist and writer who may be reached at drturtel@yahoo.com. H HAIR S SURGERY 5 SPECIALISTS NORTHWEST NATURAL HAIRLINES LIPOATROPHY (SUNKEN CHEEKS)? You CAN see "YOU" in the mirror again! NORTHWEST Regrow Your Own Hair... Permanently! With a Hair Transplant New Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation Technique SCULPTRA injections can help you look as young and healthy as you feel. Dr. Marla Ross, a board certified dermatologist, is your local sculptra expert. 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