Same-sex marriage could be on November 2014 ballot
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Supporters of same-sex marriage said Monday they're aiming at a vote next year to reverse Oregon's ban on gay marriage, which was approved in 2004.
The state's leading gay-rights group, Basic Rights Oregon, said it's formed a campaign organization to get a constitutional amendment on the November 2014 ballot. The group will need to collect at least 116,000 valid signatures.
Voters in Oregon have become more inclined to support gay marriage since they approved the ban by a vote of nearly 57 percent to 43 percent, said Jeana Frazzini, Basic Rights Oregon's executive director.
Approval of gay marriage in other states and vocal public support from President Barack Obama have helped shift momentum with supporters of same-sex unions, Frazzini said.
"We've seen the state and the country on a journey of understanding that loving and committed same sex couples want to marry, and they want to do so for reasons similar to any couple: for love and commitment and taking care of one another in good times and bad," Frazzini.
Theresa Harke, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Family Council told The Oregonian the group has been preparing to oppose such a measure and said both sides would have a difficult fight.
Basic Rights Oregon decided against seeking a same-sex marriage initiative in the 2012 election, saying at the time that it wasn't clear they could win.
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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
I would, but I have drug tests at work. But thanks anyways oh wise one.
Lysander Rothbard: smoke another bowl
Don't forget to stone people to death if they have tattoos or eat shellfish or work on the sabbath!
Kimmie Cooper: You have opened my eyes. Have you written any good books that I could read ??
Lysander Rothbard: Now that you put it that way....what was I thinking? I will start promoting homosexuality today then.
Bobbi, its funny you call Bob judgmental while judging him at the same time. Typical.
Does everyone just rally here with their Kleenex to argue ??
It was a question. Why don't you get all excited about it then. Sorry if everyone doesn't think and believe exactly like you.
I just don't get it. How come some people mention "bibile" here? There are also Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, irreligionists, atheists, etc... And they don't read King James. So Bible is NOT everything to some people.
@Bob Loveday - Maybe we should use god's moral compass. After all, he only kills tens of millions of children every year with malaria, birth defects, aids, etc. Or maybe we could use the bible as a moral compass. Oh wait, the bible also praises the slaughter of children in Exodus 1:22, Acts 7:19, 2 Kings 2:23-24 etc etc etc
Bob loveday- that seems like a very judgmental statement you said there. How do you know any of these peoples beliefs? Also this is a nation that allows many religions and spiritual beliefs. Why is christianity (which means christ like and judgment isnt christ like) the main focus here?
Oh, and @ Erin Littlefield, no, you DO NOT choose who you love-you can't control who you love! Just like nobody CHOOSES to be gay. You are a small minded, sad person and I hope that someday you will wake up and join us here in the 21st century.
It's good to see so many open minded people speaking up! Sadly, I'm not surprised by all the bigotry that is showing it's face here. And as for you so called "christians", shame on you. Why not love, respect, and treat all your fellow human beings with equality? How is it hurting you? Mind you business. If everyone followed what it says in the bible through and through, and didn't just pick and choose which parts were convenient for their bigoted beliefs, then I guess we would also believe that women should be subordinate to men. Or that we should not only be able to own slaves, but that we should be able to beat those slaves. Hell, why not. That's what it says, after all. I'm so sick of hypocritical bible thumpers.
Seems only non-believers want to separate church and state. What should we use as a moral compass then - Hollywood ??
The church and the government should both stay out of people's affairs.
Someday, people will look back on the rights that were denied to homosexuals in this nation, and will have the same feelings most current generations do now about rights denied to black people earlier in America's history. This world would be a more peaceful place if humans had more tolerance for others.
I've always been in support of civil unions for everyone. Like a legal "marriage" for anyone who wanted one with the same legal rights as traditional marriage has now. Let religious people marry in a church and still adhere to their principles. That way, the god argument is removed from legal marriage and individual churches can decide who they will have a religious ceremony for.
Absolutely not,,,,because the God of this country says no all through the bible,,,I love everyone no matter what choices they make but marriage is between a man and a woman. We would not exist if there was not one of each and that is how it is supposed to be. God bless
for
For! A union between two people who love each other should be able to be married and partake in the benefits of marriage. The majority of the fear of gay marriage lies in the hearts of those who do not understand and are too stuck on the fear set in them by their forefathers. Judging others does no good and even shows your own phobias. We need to stop basing what everyone else Should do off of our own preconceived notions of what life is.
Simply said of course I would
FOR! Seperation of church and state people. This isnt about religion or anything this is about a union between two people who love each other.
who you love is a CHOICE, just saying
YES! Who are we to judge and tell people who they can and can't marry. The people who would vote no, let me ask you a question... How would you feel if somebody told you that you could not marry the person you loved? I dont think you would like it very much. Just because a person is gay or lesbian, does not mean that the same marriage pricipals does not apply to them. We are human, we are equal no matter what the sex of the person is that we fall in love with.
I vote yes!
I would for it!
I would totally support it! For all of those out there who want to bolster the sanctity of marriage how about we outlaw divorce?! :)
I knew a lesbian couple who were united by a Civil Union. They didn't have the same rights are married couples.
It was my understanding that we already had Civil Unions in Oregon between same sex couples?
FOR!!!!! It is long past time.
You love who you love. Leave people alone and let them love/marry who they want. I think government needs to be focusing on the important issues, not ones the involve PEOPLE loving PEOPLE.
Why would I be against it? Gay couples wouldn't try to assault 20 innocent kids.. It's their lives. Let them choose what they want and leave them alone.
All for anyone to marry whatever sex they want! I don't see why it's such a problem, and how it would affect anyone else. The only reason gay marriage would become a problem for you is if you or your spouse is actually gay and wanted to leave to get married to someone else. So people need to stop being in control of other's lives.
Who r we to decide who has the right to show a commitment between two people and who doesn't? Whether its same sex or not? Everyone of you god bible preaching haters obviously aren't paying attention to the fact that god created us he wouldn't have created some of us to be gay if he wasn't going to love us the same as someone who is straight god has a plan for all of us just becus his plan for them is not what you agree upon doesn't mean he doesn't love them the same as you. In my opinion everyone should have the right to choose who they love and make that commitment to without having to be judged and looked down upon for doing so!
I am so happy to see so many people standing up and saying enough! Let the people know we have the backs of everyone that wishes to be married. Let it show in the next vote! I support my gay friends and family!
No, you can't marry your dogs, because your dogs can't (and from the sound of the kind of human you are, they wouldnt) consent. The only reason someone would vote against it, is because they're a bigot. Plain and simple. Civil rights should be just that... A RIGHT. Not something to be voted on.
I came here to see if the Bible-clutching xenophobes were out. I was not disappointed. As far as my opinion goes, I support the discontinuation of denying equal rights to homosexual couples.
You have no right to dictate what other people do with their lives
Love is love and thats the bottom line. If you dont like gay marriage dont do it. Plain and simple :)
To me, what does it matter who marries who. I think this country has alot more serious problems and issues that need attention than two people of the same sex getting married. JW
I think anyone worried about what other people are doing in terms of their marital status should get a darn life. :)
I could care less.
FOR. Who are we to judge anyhow?!
and technically in SEVERAL states, you can fornicate with your animals and there are no laws against that.
lol @ marilyn mcallister. You're really comparing two HUMANS in love to your stupid slobbering dogs? You are a terrible person, and God would be sad you opened your mouth just now.
Oh for crying out loud, I love my dogs so can I marry them??? Get real, MARRIAGE is between a MAN AND WOMAN. GOD DID NOT CREATE ADAM AND STEVE TO PROCREATE DID HE???
AGAINST ITS SICK AND WRONG
do what you want in the end only god can judge you
I'd vote in support. I don't really understand why this is still an issue. It's similar, in my opinion, when we made interracial couples unable to wed. I don't see why this is even a votable topic.
This law has nothing to do with gods principles. This is a paper law that says in the state of Oregon two people have the same rights as any other two people. It is sad that two people in love can not get married in this state because they are of the same sex. What is even worse is two people not in love can get married for the benefits of being a married couple.