Portland-area officials announced that they will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples today, making Multnomah County just the fourth county in the United States to do so, KGW-TV and The Associated Press reported Tuesday night.
Multnomah County commissioners said in a statement released Tuesday that the county’s legal counsel approved the decision to issue the licenses, a move that could set the stage for a potential same-sex marriage battle in Oregon.
“Based on a legal opinion released by the county attorney, a majority of the Board of County Commissioners supports a policy change to allow the county to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples,” the statement said.
It was unclear Tuesday exactly what legal justifications were used to make the decision, however, Multnomah County Judge Linda Bergman told KGW-TV that she will begin performing marriage ceremonies today for same-sex couples, provided that they present a marriage license.
Oregon law states that marriage is “a civil contract entered into in person by males at least 17 years of age and females at least 17 years of age, who are otherwise capable, and solemnized in accordance with ORS 106.150.”

In anticipation of a barrage of same-sex couples seeking licenses, along with the potential for protests, law-enforcement agencies will also appear at the Multnomah County headquarters, located at 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland, where the marriage licenses will be issued.
“We’ll err on the side of caution enough to make sure our presence is known,” Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Guisto told KGW-TV.
Former University LGBTQA Co-Director Austin Shaw-Phillips, currently the ASUO Multicultural Advocate, has mixed feelings about the ruling, saying that allowing same-sex marriage won’t change societal discrimination.
“That’s good that that happened and all this progress is being made toward gay marriage, but I don’t put a lot of stock in the institution of marriage in the first place,” he said. “Case in point: the Britney Spears thing.
“I don’t think this is going to change the attitude toward queer people at all.”
University College Republicans Chairman Jarrett White reiterated his group’s official position on same-sex marriage, but he also offered political and economic reasons why it is a bad idea.
“We obviously are against gay marriage in any form, so we oppose (the decision),” he said.
White said that Multnomah County’s move toward same-sex marriage only underscores the need for a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. With governmental action in some states drawing fire, White questioned whether revenue generated from the marriage licenses would be refunded if an amendment is passed.
“I will be moderate for a second to say that it’s unfair to give gay people licenses and then take them back,” he said.
Chris Looney, a junior economics major and College Republicans member, deviated slightly from White’s position. He said that he opposes a Constitutional amendment defining marriage because he doesn’t believe the government should get involved.
“I don’t like the fact that you need a license to get married,” he said.
Looney added that he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, although he supports civil unions.
“Behind closed doors, with consenting adults, why is that the government’s job to tell you what you can and can’t do?” he said.
Multnomah County officials will hold a news conference at 9 a.m. today at the county’s headquarters, and marriage licenses will be available at 10 a.m., according to news reports.