Then and now. What do you think Oregon? Who do you believe? When Oregon's "Defense of Marriage Coalition" was seeking a Yes vote from Oregon Voters on Measure 36, the DOMC was clear that the vote was not about civil unions, and even suggested it would be open to civil union legislation to provide same-sex couples with the benefits of marriage. Here is what they said then:

"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

[Now Tim Nashif and his organization are now fighting very hard against civil unions - what's the story?]

"If same-sex couples need legal protection, they should consult their legislative representatives. If they need legislation to do that, no one is going to stand in their way."
-Defense of Marriage Coalition Executive Director Mike White, Lincoln City News Guard 11/10/2004

[That is exactly what we are trying to do via the legislature with SB1000. So why are they "standing in our way"?]


"Gay and lesbian couples are free to pursue marriage-like rights via a different avenue, such as civil unions that have been approved in Vermont."
- Defense of Marriage Coalition Spokesperson Georgene Rice, Deschutes County Bulletin 9/30/2004

[Again, that is exactly what we are trying to do via the legislature with SB1000. Why did they lie to the Oregonians?]


"The notion that civil unions by definition would be unequal is without merit because civil unions become what you make them."
- Defense of Marriage Coalition Spokesperson Georgene Rice, Oregon Public Broadcasting 10/2004


"The coalition set out to defend marriage, and now we have an amendment that does that."
- Tim Nashif, Oregon Family Council Director and an organizer of the Measure 36 campaign AP 11/22/2004


"Oregon's measure 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

But, now that measure 36 has passed, the same groups are saying something very different. These people are FULL of lies and deceit. This is what they are saying now:


"We would be against any measure that takes all the benefits of marriage and then calls it something else. We don't think Oregonians had that in mind when they passed Measure 36."
- Tim Nashif, Oregon Family Council Director and an organizer of the Measure 36 campaign Bend Bulletin 4/15 2005


"This is gay marriage in disguise. Kulongoski and his fellow Democrats trying to force their radical agenda on Oregonians."
- Representative Jeff Kropf Register Guard 4/14/2005


"SB 1000 takes everything that marriage is and calls it civil unions."
- Tim Nashif, Oregon Family Council Director and an organizer of the Measure 36 campaign The Statesman Journal 4/17/2005


"The provisions of SB 1000 are a direct affront to the vote of the people on Measure 36."
- Rep. Dennis Richardson The Statesman Journal 4/17/2005


"First, marriage was never intended as a means to access rights. I believe that degrades the institution. The rights and benefits associated with marriage are a byproduct, designed to recognize and encourage the contribution and strength traditional families make to society."
- Tim Nashif, Oregon Family Council Director and an organizer of the Measure 36 campaign Oregonian 4/17/2005


"If civil union status is granted, there will be no turning back. The liberals and homosexual-lesbian coalition will have won and the people’s vote in favor of traditional marriage will have been effectively nullified."
- Representative Dennis Richardson In an e-mail to other House Republicans


"Please understand there is no greater threat to marriage right now than civil unions."
- Oregon Family Council Communications Director Nick Graham In a letter to supporters 4/26/05


Am I the only one who sees the contradictory statements here? Oregon voters were misled during the Measure 36 campaign... and these right wing fucks who proclaim to be "oh so holy" are nothing but liars. So that's that - facts are facts. Do Oregonians truly believe these people?

The DOMC has hired a lobbyist in Salem to fight SB 1000 - the bill that would grant civil unions to same-sex couples. It would also bring a statewide ban on discrimination in the workplace (meaning that you cannot be fired simply for being gay - no different than if you were black for example), Oregonians can be denied service in a bank or restaurant because they're gay, rejected for housing because they're gay and turned down for a job interview -- or even fired -- because they're gay. Is this fair? NO. I don't care how conservative you are - this is NOT right, but it IS real.

Think about this people. Go back and read these disgusting quotes from above. Senate Bill 1000 needs to be passed.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 1:27 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.