Oregon State House Passes Domestic Partnership and Nondiscrimination Acts
Human Rights Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2007
Luis Vizcaiño | Phone: 202/216.1547 | Cell: 310/869.5700
Brad Luna | Phone: 202/216.1514 | Cell: 202/812.8140
Oregon State House Passes Domestic Partnership and Nondiscrimination Acts
HRC Hails House Action to Provide Basic Fairness for Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Oregonians
PORTLAND, OR - Today, members of the Oregon House of Representatives
approved in bipartisan votes the Oregon Equality Act (SB 2) and the Oregon
Family Fairness Act (HB 2007).
The Oregon Equality Act, which passed the State House by a vote of 35 -
25, will outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and
gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. The act
was introduced in the Oregon Senate at the request of the Governor's Task
Force on Equality in Oregon and passed the Senate on March 21 by a vote of
21 - 7. Because amendments were made to the legislation in the House, the
bill will now return to the Senate for a concurrence vote before being
sent to Governor Ted Kulongoski for signature. At a rally in March, Gov.
Kulongoski indicated he would sign the legislation, stating, "I have the
pen ready."
When the Oregon Equality Act is signed into law, Oregon will become the
eighteenth U.S. state to ban workplace discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation and the ninth to ban such discrimination on the basis
of gender identity.
The Oregon Family Fairness Act (HB 2007), which passed the State House by
a vote of 34 - 26, would establish domestic partnerships for committed
same-sex couples and provide all the same state-granted privileges,
immunities, rights, benefits and responsibilities for same-sex couples
entering a domestic partnership as are granted to married couples. This
bill will now be considered by the Oregon Senate. If the bill passes the
Senate and is signed by the Governor, Oregon will join a growing group of
states providing significant protections to committed same-sex couples.
Massachusetts provides equal marriage rights for same-sex couples;
Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey provide civil unions; and California
provides registered partnerships. Marriage equality legislation is
advancing in Connecticut and California, civil unions bills are advancing
in New Hampshire and Illinois, and just last week legislators in
Washington State moved to provide a more limited set of protections to
same-sex couples.
"Legislators in Oregon today significantly advanced the cause of equality
for all Oregonians. After these bills are signed, Oregon will be a freer
and fairer place for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
residents," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "We
applaud House Speaker Jeff Merkley and the many legislators who voted
today for fairness and equality, Governor Kulongoski who has pledged to
sign these bills, our partners at Basic Rights Oregon, and all the HRC
members in Oregon who worked hard to pass these important protections."
"Today Oregon took two great strides toward equality by passing the Oregon
Family Fairness Act and the Oregon Equality Act," said Oregon Speaker of
the House Jeff Merkley (D-Portland). "Citizen activists from all corners
of the state, along with Basic Rights Oregon and the Human Rights Campaign
deserve great credit for this victory."
The Human Rights Campaign is proud to have partnered with Basic Rights
Oregon in 2006 to elect a fair-minded majority to the Oregon Legislature
and this year to pass pro-equality legislation. HRC has invested in this
partnership through direct financial and technical assistance to Basic
Rights Oregon. In addition, HRC has consistently worked to mobilize its
members in Oregon to support the strategic goals of Basic Rights Oregon
and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Oregonians.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization
working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By
inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination
against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental
fairness and equality for all.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2007
Luis Vizcaiño | Phone: 202/216.1547 | Cell: 310/869.5700
Brad Luna | Phone: 202/216.1514 | Cell: 202/812.8140
Oregon State House Passes Domestic Partnership and Nondiscrimination Acts
HRC Hails House Action to Provide Basic Fairness for Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Oregonians
PORTLAND, OR - Today, members of the Oregon House of Representatives
approved in bipartisan votes the Oregon Equality Act (SB 2) and the Oregon
Family Fairness Act (HB 2007).
The Oregon Equality Act, which passed the State House by a vote of 35 -
25, will outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and
gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. The act
was introduced in the Oregon Senate at the request of the Governor's Task
Force on Equality in Oregon and passed the Senate on March 21 by a vote of
21 - 7. Because amendments were made to the legislation in the House, the
bill will now return to the Senate for a concurrence vote before being
sent to Governor Ted Kulongoski for signature. At a rally in March, Gov.
Kulongoski indicated he would sign the legislation, stating, "I have the
pen ready."
When the Oregon Equality Act is signed into law, Oregon will become the
eighteenth U.S. state to ban workplace discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation and the ninth to ban such discrimination on the basis
of gender identity.
The Oregon Family Fairness Act (HB 2007), which passed the State House by
a vote of 34 - 26, would establish domestic partnerships for committed
same-sex couples and provide all the same state-granted privileges,
immunities, rights, benefits and responsibilities for same-sex couples
entering a domestic partnership as are granted to married couples. This
bill will now be considered by the Oregon Senate. If the bill passes the
Senate and is signed by the Governor, Oregon will join a growing group of
states providing significant protections to committed same-sex couples.
Massachusetts provides equal marriage rights for same-sex couples;
Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey provide civil unions; and California
provides registered partnerships. Marriage equality legislation is
advancing in Connecticut and California, civil unions bills are advancing
in New Hampshire and Illinois, and just last week legislators in
Washington State moved to provide a more limited set of protections to
same-sex couples.
"Legislators in Oregon today significantly advanced the cause of equality
for all Oregonians. After these bills are signed, Oregon will be a freer
and fairer place for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
residents," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "We
applaud House Speaker Jeff Merkley and the many legislators who voted
today for fairness and equality, Governor Kulongoski who has pledged to
sign these bills, our partners at Basic Rights Oregon, and all the HRC
members in Oregon who worked hard to pass these important protections."
"Today Oregon took two great strides toward equality by passing the Oregon
Family Fairness Act and the Oregon Equality Act," said Oregon Speaker of
the House Jeff Merkley (D-Portland). "Citizen activists from all corners
of the state, along with Basic Rights Oregon and the Human Rights Campaign
deserve great credit for this victory."
The Human Rights Campaign is proud to have partnered with Basic Rights
Oregon in 2006 to elect a fair-minded majority to the Oregon Legislature
and this year to pass pro-equality legislation. HRC has invested in this
partnership through direct financial and technical assistance to Basic
Rights Oregon. In addition, HRC has consistently worked to mobilize its
members in Oregon to support the strategic goals of Basic Rights Oregon
and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Oregonians.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization
working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By
inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination
against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental
fairness and equality for all.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 4:17 PM
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