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Oregon
In 2004, as discriminatory constitutional amendments were on the ballot in numerous states throughout the nation, Oregon citizens voted for an anti-marriage constitutional amendment which passed and wrote discrimination into Oregon's constitution. Immediately rebounding from the effort to try and stop the amendment, state advocacy groups and citizens across Oregon began working to get as many protections and responsibilities for same-sex couples and their families as were possible with such discrimination written into the state constitution. Oregon was successful in 2007 with passing domestic partnership in the state legislature. Now, efforts are focused on protecting this new law, repealing discrimination, and continuing to work towards true fairness and equality—marriage.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
"Marriage Makes a Word of
Difference"
Originally published by
Portland Mercury
June 14, 2007
By Evan Wolfson
Evan Wolfson answers the question so often asked of same-sex
couples wanting to end their exclusion from marriage, "Why
can't you just call it something else?," by explaining how
the "clarity, security, and dignity [of the word marriage] is
precious and irreplaceable."
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Basic Rights Oregon
Basic Rights Oregon is committed to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Oregon.
50 Voices of Equality
50 Voices For Equality is a public education campaign by the Basic Rights Education Fund (BREF). BREF's mission is to build community through education and advocacy and to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Oregon.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN OREGON:
Your Community—Oregon
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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PUBLICATIONS:
The Impact on Oregon's Budget of Introducing Same-Sex Domestic Partnerships
An analysis by the Williams Institute estimates the impact on Oregon’s state budget of introducing domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. They estimate that allowing same-sex couples to enter domestic partnerships will result in a net gain of approximately $1.5 million to $3.7 million to the State’s biennial budget. This net impact will be the result of savings in expenditures on state means-tested public benefit programs and an increase in state income tax revenue.
Oregon Census Snapshot
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Oregon.
Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the
American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research
on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the
biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring
legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases
in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.
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NEWS:
View news about the fight for the freedom to marry in Oregon.
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MULTIMEDIA:
VIDEO: 50 Voices of Equality
50 Voices of Equality
To launch this campaign, 50 Voices of Equality provided a video highlighting the features of their public education efforts.
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To launch this campaign, 50 Voices of Equality provided a video highlighting the features of their public education efforts.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Oregon.
An analysis by the Williams Institute estimates the impact on Oregon’s state budget of introducing domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. They estimate that allowing same-sex couples to enter domestic partnerships will result in a net gain of approximately $1.5 million to $3.7 million to the State’s biennial budget.
