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 Second Group Challenges Oregon Gay Laws
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 16, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET
(Portland, Oregon) A newly formed coalition
of conservative politicians and church groups filed papers on Wednesday
challenging two new Oregon LGBT civil rights laws.
The Defense of Marriage and Family are seeking a
referendum to have the laws repealed.
The coalition includes Restore America, Slavic
churches, the Constitution Party of Oregon and others.
Three men, all members of conservative groups,
who filed a similar notice with the Secretary of State on Monday (story)
said Wednesday they will withdraw their petition and join the coalition.
If the coalition collects enough names to get the
repeal measure on the ballot it would delay implementation of the laws for
almost a year.
One law allows same-sex couples to form legally
recognized partnerships. The other amends the state's non-discrimination
laws to include sexual orientation. Both were signed into law May 9 by Gov. Ted
Kulongoski and are to take effect January 1.
The coalition said that the partnership law
violates a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2004 that declares
marriage as legally valid only between a man and a woman.
It also said the non-discrimination law violates
the rights of churches to practice their religion.
The organization will need to collect the
signatures of 55,179 registered voters within 90 days after the Legislature
adjourns.
Because of the number of signatures is low it is
expected that the group will get the number needed.
But a spokesperson for the group tells the
Oregonian newspaper that she doubts voters will overturn the laws.
"It is a real shame that these few
individuals who are out of step with the values of the majority of Oregonians
are going to delay the protections of SB 2 and HB 2007 that families so
desperately need," said Melissa Chernaik.
©365Gay.com 2007
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