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365Gay.com
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Second
Oregon Anti-Gay
Vote
Measure Fails
From the
Web, October 12, 2007
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Portland, Oregon -- A group
seeking to overturn amendments to Oregon's anti-discrimination law that provides
protections for the state's LGBT community has failed to collect enough
signatures to have the issue placed on the ballot.
It is the second anti-gay measure in a week to be rejected by the Secretary of
State. On Monday a proposed referendum on Oregon's domestic partner law
was turned down after it was determined there were not enough signatures.
The Oregon Equality Act amends the state's non-discrimination laws to prohibit
discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, public
accommodation, education and public services statewide.
It covers gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered.
The Secretary of State's Office said Friday that the groups attempting to repeal
the act had collected only 53,875 valid signatures. To force a vote on the
law the groups would have needed 55,179 valid signatures.
LGBT rights groups had been fighting for enactment of the change for more than
30 years.
"This has been a historic week in Oregon. When these laws are implemented
on January 1, 2008, Oregon will become a fairer place for all of our state's
citizens to work, live and raise a family," said John Hummel, Executive Director
of Basic Rights Oregon.
"Most Oregonians believe that no one should be fired from their job, or evicted
from their home, or turned away from a restaurant just because they are gay or
lesbian," Hummel said.
The fight by conservatives to kill both laws, however, is not over.
The groups said they intend to file initiatives to repeal the laws. The
groups would have until next July to collect about 82,000 signatures.
Hummel said anti-gay activists are out of step with Oregonians.
"Most Oregonians supported these laws when they were passed and signed by the
Governor, they support the laws now, and they will support them a year from
now," Hummel said. "Most Oregonians believe discrimination is wrong."
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