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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 2005)
For organizations like Basic Rights Oregon (BRO), which promotes gay rights, bipartisan support from Democrats and Republicans like Morse is key. Personal stories like his make all the difference when it comes to breaking through to people who oppose equal rights for gays. “Fundamentally it’s about personal connections,” said BRO Communications Director Rebekah Kassell. “It might be about hearing a story that’s compelling, hearing that a family member is gay.” Morse testified before the Senate in support of SB 1000, shared his family story, and urged the Senate to move to- wards a policy of acceptance. The bill passed in the Senate, but was later de- feated in the House. “How do we recognize people in long- term relationships?” asks Morse. “That’s the question before the Legislature, and we failed to answer it.” Now Morse’s reputation with his con- servative constituents remains in ques- tion. Morse recently announced plans to run for re-election after an independent survey (that he paid for) of District 8 vot- ers showed that 46 percent of respon- dents held a favorable image of Morse, while 14 percent held an unfavorable image. Corvallis was the first city in the state to legalize civil unions for homosexuals but Albany is far more conservative. Other socially liberal Republicans are watching Morse closely. State Sen. Ben Westlund (R-Bend) also co-sponsored SB 1000 and will use Morse’s race as a barometer for his campaign. “Morse is in a more vulnerable position because he’s newer,” said Westlund’s aide, Stacy Dycus. “Westlund has served as a repre- sentative for three terms so he has some name recognition.” But Atkinson is confident that Morse will be reelected if he runs. After the SB 1000 vote was complete in the Senate, “people for and against came up and shook his hand, because he was doing it based on principal and integrity,” Atkinson said. ■ ‘How do we recognize people in long-term relationships? That’s the question before the Legislature, and we failed to answer it.’ — Oregon State Sen. Frank Morse PRE-SEASON Ski & EDITOR Melissa Bearns (melissa@eugeneweekly.com) CALENDAR EDITOR Molly Templeton (cal@eugeneweekly.com) SNOWBOARD STAFF WRITERS Paul J. Anderson, Aaron Burkhalter, Robin Canfield, John Ginn, Chad Richins, Kim Smith, Daniel Weiland, Alana Yankus I nt e r n s David Constantin, Danny Cross, Emily Freeman, Tim O’Rourke SALE ART DIRECTOR Kevin Dougherty (art@eugenweekly.com) DESIGNERS James Bateman, Todd Cooper (art@eugeneweekly.com) FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY • OCT. 14, 15 & 16 10-20% OFF MARKETING DIRECTOR Bill Shreve (bills@eugeneweekly.com) ADVERTISING Jennifer D’Angelo (jennifer@eugeneweekly.com), Mark Frisbee (mark@eugeneweekly.com), Rob Weiss (rob@eugeneweekly.com) CIRCULATION Danica Zapata (danica@eugeneweekly.com) The Eugene Weekly and What’s Happening Corvallis 1251 Lincoln Street • Eugene, OR 97401 • NEW SKIS • BOOTS • BINDINGS • ALL NEW FALL CLOTHING • NEW SNOWBOARD GEAR & CLOTHING Ask about our new Junior Trade-in Program! 541-484-0519 • fax 541-484-4044 www.eugeneweekly.com Friday Only! 12:00-7:00 pm UP TO UP TO 60% OFF 50% OFF 2004 SKI GEAR 5-Day Pass 189 $ .00 2004 SNOWBOARD GEAR Wa Miller T rren on sale ickets here! Season Pass Photos Available! 207/129 NW 2nd St. • Downtown Corvallis • 754-6444 WHAT’S HAPPENING Corvallis • 3
