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Feb-04-2008 09:41printcomments

Oregon's Domestic Partnership Law Takes Effect

Hundreds of Couples Apply For Legal Recognition of Lifelong Commitment.

Same sex couple wedding rings
Photo courtesy: sexinthepublicsquare.org

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Hundreds of same sex couples in committed, lifelong relationships lined up at county offices across Oregon to take advantage of a new domestic partnership law that went into effect today.

"Caring, committed couples have waited years, in many cases decades, for access to the basic protections associated with Oregon's domestic partnership law," said Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, a group that works to end discrimination. "Today, these couples will have the rights and legal protections they deserve."

Oregon's domestic partnership law grants committed same sex couples certain rights and responsibilities, including the right to participate in medical and end of life decisions, the ability to resolve inheritance and estate issues, ensure parental rights and obligations, obtain health benefits, and gain access to their children's school or medical records.

Donna Taylor and her partner Paula Kratz have been together for almost 35 years. "After more than three decades together, we know we can count on each other," Taylor said today outside the county clerk's office in Medford. "But this legal document means that we have the security of knowing we can be there for each other when it matters most."

Rev. Dr. Daniel Bryant of Eugene's First Christian Church said his congregation includes both straight and gay couples. "I work with couples every day, and I know first hand that commitment is hard work," he said. "Along with the blessings come all the day-to-day challenges of building a life together. We need to do everything we can to support couples making that lifelong commitment. Domestic partnerships help by ensuring that committed couples have the basic legal protections they need to take care of each other."

"We all want to - and should be able to - take care of the people we love," said Basic Rights Oregon's Frazzini. "Gay couples, just like straight couples, want the security of knowing that they can be there for their family and their family will be there for them. Domestic partnerships provide that security."

A federal judge on Friday lifted his earlier injunction blocking the law from taking effect on January 1 as planned. The judge ultimately rejected claims made by an out-of-state, anti-gay legal group that had sought to revive a failed referendum on the law.

On the Web: Basic Rights Oregon has created a "Domestic Partnership Resource Guide" available at basicrights.org




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Neal Feldman February 5, 2008 11:58 am (Pacific time)

To the rabid homophobic bigots who've commented - what is disgusting is your closed-minded intolerance, bigotry and ingrained need to persecute anyone who is different from you. To those worrying about family values clearly you think there should only be one kind of family allowed. What about you valuing all families? GLBT couples are already getting married... have been for decades. Inly different is they do not get the goody-bag of the thousands of rights, privileges and benefits heterosexuals in identical situations receive. So clearly the 'family values' crowd only support 'MY family values' not ALL family values. How narrow-minded. If you do not like non-heterosexual relationships do not enter into one. Simple as that. Just like if you do not like onions on your pizza don't order them. But do not presume to dictate to others that they musy live exactly as you do just as you should not ban others from ordering their pizza with onions if that is their preference. We do not choose who we are attracted to. Ah well...


Vic February 5, 2008 8:19 am (Pacific time)

I think bigots that do not know how to use capital letters are sick, lazy and disgusting.


Sue February 5, 2008 7:36 am (Pacific time)

Why are you people disgusted? It has no effect on you. Let others be happy and enjoy equal rights. Noone stopped me from marrying my husband. So, why should anyone make the decision on what is right for someone else. MYOB! And congrats to the couples that finally get what they deserve. Someday, hopefully, this will be a non-issue.


Anonymous February 4, 2008 6:33 pm (Pacific time)

Bigots, I hope it bothers all of you. It is laughable, you are all sad little people with small minds.


Sheree February 4, 2008 2:47 pm (Pacific time)

I think its disgusting!


Anonymous February 4, 2008 5:51 pm (Pacific time)

sick, disgusting and wrong. what happened to family values? not in oregon i guess


Anonymous February 4, 2008 3:49 pm (Pacific time)

Sho, maybe you should go take a shower or something, waddya think? You might be able to lose the bigot smell a little but hard cases are hard cases, good luck!


sho February 4, 2008 2:48 pm (Pacific time)

disgusting and filthy..

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Sean Flynn was a photojournalist in Vietnam, taken captive in 1970 in Cambodia and never seen again.