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 Oregon Gay Couples Protest Delay In Partner
Law
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 31, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET
(Portland, Oregon) Hundreds of same-sex couples
from throughout Oregon braved snowy mountain passes and rainy Portland streets
to protest a court ordered delay in implementing the state's domestic
partnership law.
The law was to have gone into effect on New
Year's Day, but on December 28 a federal judge placed on hold on the law (story)
until a hearing is held on the constitutionality of the legislation. That
hearing will take place on Friday.
A conservative group went to court after the
Oregon secretary of state's office ruled in October that it had failed to
collect enough valid signatures on a referendum to block the law.
The Alliance Defense Fund, which opposes the
measure, argued that the state's review process was flawed, disenfranchising
citizens who had signed petitions.
Wednesday night's rally in support of the
partnership law was organized by LGBT civil rights group Basic Rights Oregon.
"For too many years, committed couples in Oregon have been left
standing in the rain," Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Jeana
Frazzini told the crowd.
"For too long we have stood
outside looking in, denied the basic rights that allow us to protect the
ones we love. Oregon's domestic partnership law offers shelter from the
storm for hundreds of Oregon families. That's what's at stake with this
court case, and that's why we are here tonight." Although
the legal challenge by the ADF names only the state, Basic Rights Oregon filed a
motion seeking intervenor status to argue in favor of the law.
The group was joined by Erin Sexton-Sayler of
Portland and her partner.
Sexton-Sayler also spoke at the rally telling the
throng that she and her partner are expecting their second child in May.
She said that they had planned to register as domestic partners prior to the birth.
"The last thing new parents should be worrying about is whether
their newborn will be safe if something should happen to one of
them," Sexton-Sayler said. "The bottom line is that this delay
hurts families."
Whichever way U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman
rules in the case the decision is likely to be appealed.
, effectively tying up the legislature for months
or longer.
The law would allow same-sex couples and
opposite-sex couples unable to marry to form legally recognized partnerships.
Couples who register would be guaranteed the
right to visit partners in hospital and make medical decisions, file joint state
tax returns, and have joint health insurance plans or take sick leave to care
for their partners.
The law was passed after a legal battle for gay
marriage failed.
The issue of same-sex marriage in the state arose
in March 2004 when Multnomah County began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex
couples.
Soon after, the county was ordered to stop, but
not before 3,000 marriage licenses had been granted.
The constitutional amendment, known as Measure
36, was passed that November.
In 2005 the state Supreme Court ruled the
amendment legal and efforts to enact the domestic partner registry began.
The challenge to the partner registry did not
affect a second LGBT law that came into effect January 1. That measure
bars discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people
in housing, employment, public accommodation, education and public services
statewide.
©365Gay.com 2008
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