Gay-Rights Bill Awaits Governor's Signature

April 20, 2007
BY PETER WONG
A gay-rights bill awaits only Gov. Ted Kulongoski's signature to become law.
The Oregon Senate, by a 19-7 vote Thursday, gave final approval to a bill that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation. Similar bills have been introduced since 1973.
Kulongoski has said he will sign the bill.
The House approved Senate Bill 2 on Tuesday after amending it to make the exemption for religious organizations more specific. Commercial-type ventures, such as hospitals, still would be subject to Oregon's anti-discrimination law, but other activities "closely connected" with organizations would not.
"It was changed to address some of the concerns of religious organizations that wanted more specificity in this exemption, and they got it," said Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, the bill's floor manager.
All seven votes against the bill came from Republicans.
"It clearly illustrates the danger of a potentially unconstitutional restriction of free speech inherent in this bill," said Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls.
Opponents have not said whether they will mount a challenge to the law in court, or petition to refer it or a pending domestic-partnerships bill to voters. Either referral would require 55,179 voter signatures to be filed within 90 days after the 2007 Legislature adjourns, and would be placed on the November 2008 ballot.
House Bill 2007, which establishes domestic partnerships for same-sex couples that cannot marry, awaits a Senate committee hearing and chamber vote. The Senate passed a similar bill in 2005, coupled with anti-discrimination provisions, but it died in the House.
pwong@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 39