The Oregon state legislature is taking steps to extend anti-discrimination laws to cover “sexual discrimination.” Lawmakers also want to begin the slow process of legalizing same-sex civil unions.
This bill takes a different sentiment than Oregonians have asserted in the past when it comes to social issues, especially issues pertaining to homosexuality. In the 1992, the Oregon Citizens Alliance, a conservative political action group, proposed ballot measure 9, which would have stripped homosexuals of their supposed “special rights.”
Throughout the 1990s, the OCA’s founder Lon Mabon was a near-ubiquitous political figure in Oregon. He even ran against Gordon Smith for U.S. Senate, espousing his special brand of homophobia and social conservatism.
Although the OCA and Lon Mabon were marginal figures for many years, Measure 9 came extremely close to passing – too close for many, with 638,527 votes in favor and 828,290 votes against. The closeness of the vote worried many Oregonians, who believed that it illustrated a lurking social conservatism among Oregon voters, despite the supposed liberal attitudes of our elected officials.
In 2004, Measure 36 passed, prohibiting same-sex marriage in the state. The Measure was a response to rulings by the State Legislator’s office, Multnomah County and Benton County, which issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Once again, the vote was close – close enough to warrant a rebuke by the legislature.
The proposed legislation is twofold: The Oregon Equity Act (Senate Bill 2) prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Oregon Family Fairness Act (House Bill 2007) would recognize same-sex civil unions.
House Bill 2007 already passed through committee, as expected, and now awaits floor debate. It would behoove the Oregon Legislature to pass the bill, as it would ensure equality among all Oregon residents.
After Measure 36 passed, many activists claimed that Oregon had taken away rights to same-sex couples, despite no right to same -sex marriage previously existing. However, Oregon should strive to provide rights and not maintain the status quo, especially when the status quo takes away certain rights.
In the future, same-sex unions will become the norm. It is only a matter of time before this basic right is extended to same-sex couples, and that time should come shortly. It is un-American to deny certain individuals rights based on their sexual preferences.