Gay Rights Watch

Here is a breakdown of the Yes and No votes cast around noon today on Senate Bill 1000.

Atkinson: No
Bates: Yes
Beyer: No
Brown: Yes
Burdick: Yes
Carter: Yes
Deckert: Yes
Devlin: Yes
Ferrioli: No
George: No
Gordly: Yes
Johnson: Yes
Kruse: No
Metsger: Yes
Monnes Anderson: Yes
Morrisette: Yes
Morse: Yes
Nelson: Excused
Prozanski: Yes
Ringo: Yes
Schrader: Yes
Shields: Yes
Starr B.: No
Starr C.: No
Verger: No
Walker: Yes
Westluind: Yes
Whitsett: No
Winters: No
President Courtney: Yes

Total: 19 Aye, 10 Nay, 1 Excused.

Post by Bryan Harding

I am sitting here in the Meeting Room at the Oregon State Capitol. Today, Senate Bill 1000 passed by a margin of 19 to 10 with Senator Nelson being absent for the vote.

After nearly 3 hours of testimony from all Senators, both pro and con. The testimony was absolutely amazing.

Starting off the testimony was Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown whom we owe so many thanks to. Thank you to Senator Westlund, Bates, Ringo, Morse, Deckert only to name a few. Their speeches were impassioned and true. They spoke out. They spoke out to their fellow Senators, colleagues, and the over 125 supporters of the bill that were watching this entire historical event unfold. I want to thank the amazing staff of Basic Rights Oregon who worked 12 hour days to help get this legislation passed.

I will never forget this day. It is a day that will be with me for the rest of my life.

So thank you Senator Brown. You truly pulled through. You make us proud. Thank you to all involved in helping get SB1000 passed today.

Now the real battle begins. Let take it to the House!

More to come...

Post by Bryan Harding

[Updates: As I watched the Senate Pass SB1000, Vote Breakdown for SB1000]

The Oregon Senate has approved Civil Unions in Oregon. 19 votes were in favor and 10 opposed. There was extraordinary discussion on the Senate floor as 24 out of 30 Senators spoke. Senator Nelson was not present at today’s vote.

-Adam

Senate Majority Leader Kate Browns office is still reporting a morning vote on Senate Bill 1000. Senate President Peter Courtney's office is as well. Senator Richard Devlin's office is also reporting the same.

I believe that Basic Rights Oregon is encouraging supporters of SB1000 to be down there at the Capitol at 7:15am for visibility, then proceed to the Senate gallery to watch this historic vote take place.

Updates to come as soon as I get any additional information.

Post by Bryan Harding

Senate President Peter Courtney's office is reporting that SB1000 is now on the schedule for a Friday vote. At this point I will believe it when I see it. It seems that there has been delay after delay. All I know is that if our Senate leadership can pull their shit together, it will be a very good happy our on Friday.

**UPDATE** Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown's office has also given indication that the vote will happen on Friday. On the last pink slip of the day SB 1000 was listed.

Stay tuned. I will update as soon as I learn more.

Post by Bryan Harding

[UPDATE] It's 6:15am and we are heading out now for Salem. Wish us luck!

This is the message that we will take to Salem tomorrow morning at 7:15. I'll make sure to take pictures of the gathering and post them up here as soon as I get back. It should be very interesting. We have no idea how many people will show up - though the organic way in which this has spread seems promising. Check back tomorrow afternoon and I'll give you all the rundown.

If any of you want to join us there is still time. Here are the details.
No Excuses. No Delays. Vote on SB 1000 Now!

• We'll meet from 7:15 to 8:30 AM outside the Capitol parking garages to let legislators arriving to work know that we are counting on them.
  
• From 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM, find us in the Capitol Rotunda.

Post by Bryan Harding

Seems like this has been the consensus for a while now. We've been delayed on progress, now it looks as though we are all set to move ahead and it will receive a vote on Thursday, as opposed to Wednesday as we previously thought. The bill was amended slightly last week which caused it to go back for a fiscal review even though nothing would be changing on that front. Just standard protocol... or did the Senate leadership fuck up?

The bill will create a civil unions registry and grant same-sex couples many of the rights available to married couples including inheritance benefits, pensions, property rights when a partner dies, and the right to make medical decisions for a partner. It's just common sense.

The bill also adds sexual orientation to a law that forbids discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, religion and several other factors.

It has the backing of Gov. Ted Kulongoski and is expected to pass the Democratically controlled Senate with little difficulty.

"The Oregon Senate will be making a very important statement about prohibiting discrimination in this state and providing all of Oregon's families with stability and security," said Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland).

Even though the bill was amended last week (hence last week's delay) to carefully differentiate between civil unions and marriage opponents say it amounts to the same thing.

"Our argument is that they are amending every marriage statute," said Tim Nashif, political director for the Oregon Family Council.

Tim Nashif is also quoted as saying the following (lying - a good Christian value?):

"Same-sex couples should seek marriage-like rights through another avenue, such as civil unions."
Tim Nashif, Oregon Family Council Director and an organizer of the Measure 36 campaign Bend Bulletin 8/20/2004

“Oregon's measure [36] was written specifically not to address civil unions."
Tim Nashif, Oregon Family Council Director and an organizer of the Measure 36 campaign Bend Bulletin. 11/6/2004

TOMORROW:
Supporters of SB1000 will be gathering in Salem. Click here for our previous post regarding times and details. It's in the morning and won't take much time.

Post by Bryan Harding