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Log Cabin Republicans Applaud Oregon Senate for Passing Civil Unions and Non-Discrimination Legislation

Oregon House Should Pass Legislation to Provide Basic Fairness for Families

July 11, 2005

(Washington, DC) – "Log Cabin Republicans applaud the bi-partisan passage of civil unions and non-discrimination legislation in the Oregon Senate. Log Cabin calls on the Oregon House Majority Leader, Karen Minnis, to bring this bill to the floor, and for the House to follow the Senate's lead and pass this important legislation that provides basic fairness for all families," said Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Guerriero.

The legislation, SB 1000, would provide basic fairness to all Oregon families by establishing civil unions for gay and lesbian couples and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public accommodation, and public services. The legislation was co-sponsored by Republican State Senators Frank Morse and Ben Westlund. Senator Morse (R-Corvallis) asked the Senate to refuse "intolerance and hatred" and to "cast a vote for acceptance." Senator Morse noted that his Christian belief in equality and his experience knowing gays and lesbians guided him to co-sponsor the legislation.

Civil unions would provide hundreds of important protections and responsibilities for gay and lesbian families in Oregon. "All families deserve basic fairness, including gay and lesbian families. Opinion surveys repeatedly show that the vast majority of Oregon voters favor civil unions for same-sex couples. Support for civil unions is so broad that even a majority of voters who supported Measure 36 say they support civil unions that provide all of the rights, responsibilities, and protections of marriage," continued Guerriero.

"Log Cabin proudly joins with Basic Rights Oregon and other organizations in supporting this important piece of legislation. We will continue working for final passage in the Oregon House," concluded Guerriero.