Citizens in Charge

It seems everywhere we turn these days, state bans on marriage for same-sex couples are falling.  Eighteen American jurisdictions (17 states and the District of Columbia) now allow same-sex couples to wed on the same terms as opposite-sex couples.  Here in Oregon, our constitutional exclusion of marriage for same-sex couples is being challenged both in court and at the ballot box.

The ballot measure is a long-term project of Basic Rights Oregon and other local and national advocates, who have formed the Oregon United for Marriage campaign to pass the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative.  The measure seeks again to amend Oregon’s constitution, removing the prohibition on marriage for same-sex couples and affirming in the constitution the right for all couples to marry, without regard to sex.  The measure also clarifies in the constitution that religious institutions reserve the right to marry whom they choose.  The campaign is in the process of collecting enough signatures to put it on the ballot in November.

Read more: here