House Committee Hears Hours of Impassioned Testimony on Basic Fairness Legislation

Senate Bill 2 previously passed the Oregon Senate on March 21st, by a 21-7 vote.

Photo: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Oregon House Elections, Ethics and Rules Committee heard public and invited testimony on Monday, for over six hours, on The Oregon Equality Act (Senate Bill 2) and The Oregon Family Fairness Act (House Bill 2007).

Hundreds of supporters of equality came to the Oregon State Capitol to testify and show their support for The Oregon Equality Act, a bill that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in Oregon, and The Oregon Family Fairness Act, a bill created to grant same-sex couples and their families a set of rights, responsibilities and protections through Domestic Partnerships.

Nancy Frantz-Geddes from Salem pleaded with the committee, "My family is a loving, devoted and cohesive family that is equally deserving of the same protections, rights and responsibilities afforded to other Oregon families without question. My children are invaluable. My children are Oregon's bright future. Please value and protect my family's future from unnecessary discrimination by fully supporting House Bill 2007 and Senate Bill 2."

Dan Bryant, a member of the Governor's Task Force on Equality and a Reverend for 23 years stated, "Contrary to those who claim that these bills are 'anti-Christian,' I find them to be very consistent with the Christian faith I profess and have proclaimed from the pulpit for 23 years." Bryant continued, "Such inclusively is at the center of the Christian gospel."

Bryant testified on behalf of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) -- a statewide association of Christian denominations, congregations, ecumenical organizations and interfaith partners.

Kristin Carrico, a Sunriver resident, mother of a gay son and a third-generation Republican gave spirited testimony to the committee. "Extending equal rights to every Oregonians is not a partisan issue, but rather a moral and ethical one. Partisan politics have no place in allocating legal protection from discriminatory acts." She concluded, "Passing Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2007 will put Oregon solidly and positively into a brighter social and economic future."

"This session is in high contrast to that of 2005," said Basic Rights Oregon Interim Executive Director Aisling Coghlan.

"This is the first time in history that a bill granting rights, protections and responsibilities to same-sex couples through Domestic Partnerships has received a public hearing in the Oregon House. We are very optimistic that both of these bills will make it all the way to the Governor's desk for his signature."

On Tuesday, Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2007 are scheduled for a work session in the Elections, Ethics and Rules Committee at 9:30 AM.

Senate Bill 2 previously passed the Oregon Senate on March 21st, by a 21-7 vote.