Just out., July 15, 2011, Page 16, Image 16

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JULY 15, 2011
WWW.JUSTOUT.COM
The Final
Countdown
%
Basic Rights O regon gets ready to bring
m arriage equality to th e ballot
BY ERIN ROOK
20 AUGUST 2011
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On the heels of the recent passage of without a clear path to victory, she says, citing
marriage equality in New York, Basic Rights Maine’s failed marriage equality initiative.
Oregon is amping up its activism in prepa­
“In 2009 in Maine they had polling show­
ration for victory in Oregon.
ing 48 percent support,” Frazzini says. “On
“In terms of the timeline, we re essentially election day they won 48 percent of the vote.”
working from the same plan we’ve been
According to figures released by Public
working from for the last three years,” says Policy Polling in June, Oregon currently sits
Basic Rights Oregon executive director Jea- at that same 48 percent mark. W hile 11
na Frazzini, “which is to continue to do the percent of those polled were unsure, there’s
work both on the ground and through paid no guarantee that the undecided would side
communication and advertising to engage with marriage equality instead of against—
people in the conversa­
assuming they even vote.
tion about the importance “Everything is headed
Still, there’s time to
of marriage equality.”
move the dial. Support
in the right direction,
But that timeline is ap­
for same-sex marriage has
but before w e m ake the
proaching a critical deci­
increased by about 5 per­
decision
to
go
to
th
e
ballot,
sion-making point. By
cent since voters approved
*
this fall—October 31 at w e w ant to be looking at
* Measure 36, the constitu­
the latest—BRO will de­
tional amendment ban­
strong m ajority su p p o rt.”
cide whether or not to
ning same-sex marriage,
-JEANA
FRAZZINI,
put marriage equality on
57 percent to 43 percent.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTO R, BRO
the ballot for 2012.
Frazzini says there’s no
“We really are in a very unique position as better time of year to make an impact.
a state that has had so many ballot measure
“The next three to fours months are abso­
fights,” Frazzini says. “But it’s never been lutely crucial,” she says. “This is the best time
done before.”
of year to be out engaging the public in con­
Frazzini doesn’t want to take that step versation, asking folks to continue to sup­
unless she is confident the measure will pass, port the campaign financially. We’ll do an­
and right now, there’s still work to be done. other round of advertising this fall. That will
“We’re absolutely moving public opinion be a part of the work to move public opinion
in the right direction and, in fact, accelerat­ on the issue.”
ing the pace of change,” Frazzini says. Still,
But blazing a path to victory is about
“we’re not where we need to be yet—if the more than changing public opinion. Even if
election were held today, it’s not clear that the public supports marriage equality with
we would win.”
their words, it takes a well-run campaign to
It would be irresponsible to go to the ballot turn those kind thoughts into votes.
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