northwest
Took Us Long Enough
Oregon passes comprehensive gay civil rights package
by Jaymee R. Cuti
reathe, cheer and celebrate a historic
passed in both chambers April 19, in a 19-7 vote tn
moment in Oregon’s history. The state
the Senate and a 35-25 vote in the House of
Legislature passed a civil rights package
Representatives.
May 2 that will give gay Oregonians the
House Bill 2007, which has been touted as the
rights and responsibilities of marriage.
most comprehensive domestic partnership benefits
Last month, the Legislature granted queers package
legal in the country, passed in the House with
protection from discrimination in the workplace,
a 34-26 vote and 21-9 in the Senate.
schools and in public accommodations.
The bill faced controversy when a friendly
State Sens. Kate Brown (left) and Ginny Burdick, both D-Portland, accept applause after passing
And while the victory is grand—especially after
amendment was introduced by lesbian state Rep.
House Bill 2007.
the defeat of the similar Senate Bill 1000 in the last
Tina Kotek, D-North Portland, to change the
legislative session and the passage of Measure 36,
phrasing from “civil unions” to “domestic partner
moved in 34 years, presenting the same ancient,
fight off challenges to the same-sex marriage ban.
the 2004 same-sex marriage ban—many remember
ships.” Although the content of HB 2007 remained
tired, hollow arguments," said Steven Fulmer, a long
Fulmer, who has followed the path of these bills
that Oregon could have been the first to pass these
the same, some viewed the change as an unneces time gay civil rights activist who was founding
in many forms through the decades, and the incre
bills, 34 years ago.
sary concession. Gay Portland City Commissioner
secretary of Equity Foundation, founding general
mental gains and setbacks along the way, offered
“Oregon should have been among the first
Sam Adams defended the change, calling it the
manager of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus and
this perspective. “Although we’ve won our rights
states. That’s been a major disappointment for
“same package, different wrapping.”
a founding member of Cascade AIDS Project.
and obtained one of the most comprehensive
everyone who has been active in gay rights in
Nondiscrimination, perceived as the “bread and
While the bills prepare for a festive signing event
domestic partnership bills in the nation, we still
Oregon,” recalled Portland attorney and activist
butter” measure to domestic partnerships’ “icing on
May 9 at the Capitol, with a performance by the
have a long way to go, and we’ve learned that from
Charles Hinkle, who argued the first gay anti the cake,” faced the most opposition. Most of the
chonis singing “America the Beautitvl,” political
our other minority friends,” he said. “Most preju
discrimination case in the state against a school
controversy surrounded its religious exemptions
organizers are steadying for a potential final battle.
dice exists in the hearts and minds of people. We
board in Turner that fired a lesbian teacher on
clause, which was revised during committee work ses
If the bills are not challenged by the opposition,
need to hold hands with all groups that are margin
grounds of her orientation in 1972. He has since
sions. The bill’s religious exemption allows churches
they will be implemented Jan. 1, 2008. Those
alized and stand up for the rights of anyone who is
testified in nearly every legislative session in
to not hire people if their sexual orientation is in con opposed to SB 2 or HB 2007 would need to gather
labeled different and whose societal role is dimin
support of a gay rights bill.
flict with church tenets, as long as employment is
55,000-plus signatures within 90 days of the close
ished. We do that by coming out and teaching our
children."
©
The concept of granting equal rights to gays and
related to the primary purpose of the church.
of the legislative session to bring this bill to a refer
lesbians has been kicked around every legislative
To the frustration of gay rights activists, other
endum, which the entire state would vote on. The
session since 1973. Some say this successful out resistance to Senate Bill 2 echoed concerns dating Oregon Family Council, the group behind Measure
B asic R ights O regon commemorates the
come is explained by the makeup of the progressive
back to the '70s about sharing bathrooms and lock
signing of Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2007 with
36, announced April 24 that despite its disapproval
er rooms with queers.
Democrats leading the legislative chambers.
a community celebration 5 p.m. May 10
of the measure, it would not seek a referendum on
Senate Bill 2, the nondiscrimination measure,
“I was very struck by how little people had
Senate Bill 2. Instead, it is conserving resources to at Q Center, 69 S.E. Taylor St.
B