Same sex marriage in 2012 for Oregon

April 11, 2:03 PMPortland Progressive ExaminerMichael Stone

Previous Next

3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Portland Progressive Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

After some well deserved victories in Vermont and Iowa the gay community in Oregon must be wondering "when will equality come to Oregon"?  Yet Oregon is still dealing with the fallout from Measure 36, in which state voters in 2004 limited marriage to one man and one woman. Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, says she’d like to see a measure reversing Measure 36 on the ballot as soon as 2012.

“We need to take the time and care to move the conversation forward,” she says. “As folks consider the issues, and weigh information, people come to see that the hopes and dreams of a same-sex couple are very much the same as an opposite-sex couple. Being able to care for your loved one, retirement and health care and, in this economy, how to get by.”

Frazzini says her gay rights group is launching that campaign this year.

Nevertheless, there is more homophobia coming from the religious right. Once again. same sex marriage is under attack by representatives of the religious right. A new media campaign launched by NOM (National Organization for Marriage) is the latest attempt to spread fear and misinformation. NOM, founded by right wing extremist Maggie Gallagher is pushing an ad designed to ignite hate for gays.

However, the hate campaign seems to have failed before it has begun. The campaign has met with criticism at every turn. The ads were quickly recognized for the bigotry and hatred they represent.

The original ad:

 A response to the ad:

 Watch Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese debate Anti-Marriage Leader Maggie Gallagher on Hardball: