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Same-sex rights bills progress in Oregon legislature
by Jason N. Reed | News Reporter |
Although marriage is be defined as the relationship between one man and one woman in Oregon's state constitution, same-sex couples are one step closer to being granted many of the same benefits and protections as legally recognized married couples.
The Oregon Family Fairness Act (HB 2007) and the Oregon Equality Act (SB 2) are advancing the rights and responsibilities of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, or LGBTQ, community. Both bills passed the Rules Committee floor on Tuesday. HB 2007 passed by a bipartisan vote of 5-2 and SB 2 passed with a vote of 5-1.
"SB 2 will provide members of the LGBTQ community to feel comfortable when they are applying for housing or out at a restaurant or any other place where overt discrimination is taking place," said Student Senator Oscar Guerra.
SB 2 would prohibit discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The opportunity to obtain employment or housing, or to use and enjoy places of public accommodation without discrimination is declared one's civil right, according to the bill. Sexual orientation is defined as an individual's "actual or perceived" gender identity.
"We want to ensure that legislature know that students care about this issue and they deserve to feel safe in their classes, and they do have some rights," said Tamara Hendersen, an organizer for the Oregon Student Association.
The Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance is conducting a rally at the state capitol in Salem today from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. to help promote the passing of the bill.
According to OSA's Web site, www.orstudents.org, "What makes this incredibly crucial for students is that if the opposition is not able to shut the bill down completely, they will begin to dismantle it with public and higher education as their first target.
"They've pledged to delete every single reference to education, thus youth and students would have zero protections."
The Oregon Family Fairness Act (HB 2007) and the Oregon Equality Act (SB 2) are advancing the rights and responsibilities of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, or LGBTQ, community. Both bills passed the Rules Committee floor on Tuesday. HB 2007 passed by a bipartisan vote of 5-2 and SB 2 passed with a vote of 5-1.
"SB 2 will provide members of the LGBTQ community to feel comfortable when they are applying for housing or out at a restaurant or any other place where overt discrimination is taking place," said Student Senator Oscar Guerra.
SB 2 would prohibit discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The opportunity to obtain employment or housing, or to use and enjoy places of public accommodation without discrimination is declared one's civil right, according to the bill. Sexual orientation is defined as an individual's "actual or perceived" gender identity.
"We want to ensure that legislature know that students care about this issue and they deserve to feel safe in their classes, and they do have some rights," said Tamara Hendersen, an organizer for the Oregon Student Association.
The Oregon Student Equal Rights Alliance is conducting a rally at the state capitol in Salem today from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. to help promote the passing of the bill.
According to OSA's Web site, www.orstudents.org, "What makes this incredibly crucial for students is that if the opposition is not able to shut the bill down completely, they will begin to dismantle it with public and higher education as their first target.
"They've pledged to delete every single reference to education, thus youth and students would have zero protections."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Carol
posted 4/17/07 @ 5:05 PM PST
Do you know how many couples have lasted for five or more years? How does this compare with the number of hetero couples that have lasted for more than five years? Probably quite a difference in these two numbers. (Continued…)
Jennifer Ferragan
posted 4/18/07 @ 6:12 PM PST
My name is Jennifer and I and 17 years old and go to Reynolds high school, and everyone I talked to about SB2 all agreed that it would be very unsafe for both the straight and not straight people. (Continued…)
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