Oregon pro-family official: New law may impact marriage protection amendment

[Soldier4Christ]

Oregon pro-family official: New law may impact marriage protection amendment

An official with the Oregon Family Council says the recent approval of domestic partnerships for homosexual couples violates the will of the state's voters.



On May 9, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed legislation (HB 2007) creating domestic partnerships for homosexuals in that state, beginning January 1. The law allows same-sex couples to enter into contractual relationships that have many benefits offered to married couples. At the same time, Kulongoski signed into law SB 2, which bans "discrimination" against homosexual and transgendered people. In a press statement announcing the signings, the governor referred to the measures as "transformational," saying they will "literally transform our state from one of exclusion to one of complete inclusion."

Nick Graham is communications director with the Oregon Family Council (OFC) in Portland. He says although the domestic partnership law passed, there are some safeguards for Christians.

"One of [these safeguards] is that the legislation does not require the clergy to actually bless the union, which is a requirement of marriage in Oregon, that marriage be solemnized," Graham notes. Still, he says he is not sure what impact, if any, this law will have on a marriage protection amendment approved by Oregon voters in 2004.

"In terms of the effects this might have on Measure 36, our constitutional amendment," the OFC spokesman observes, "really, the greatest effect that could come on that is based on its status in the court system right now. It's currently in front of the appellate court and will in due time at some point, I assume, run into the Supreme Court."

Graham points out that, as with HB 2007, SB 2 grants exemptions for churches and religious organizations. Both bills were introduced in the Legislature upon the recommendations of the Governor's Taskforce on Equality.