When I first heard the news about Westlund running for Governor I was excited. I was excited because I was naive. This is the first in a series of reasons why I will not be voting for Senator Westlund.

During the 2005 legislative session Senator Westlund courageously co-sponsored Senate Bill 1000 that would have created civil unions, as well as an omnibus, statewide anti-discrimination policy. As a Republican from Eastern Oregon this is not an easy task. He received an incredible amount of criticism from other Republicans and obviously the other extremists for his support of the bill.

Currently Ben is collecting signatures to run for Oregon's Governor and it looks as if he will make it on the ballot. So what's the problem with this potential candidate for Oregon Governor? Isn't he a big supporter of the gay community? Doesn't he believe in equality under the law? I'm not sure. It's an entirely new position for him.

I've had many discussions with people in the GLBT community about Westlund. Some of these people say that their vote is going to him because of his staunch support of SB1000.

To those people I say this: EDUCATE YOURSELF.

Ben Westlund on Measure 36:
Ben Westlund publicly endorsed Measure 36, the Constitutional Amendment to permanently enshrine blatant discrimination into the most sacred document in Oregon. A document that is meant to protect citizens, not harm them. Ben Westlund wrote a pro-Measure 36 argument in the 2004 Voters Pamphlet.

Here is what he said:

An Open Letter from Senator Ben Westlund:
I have worked hard in my career to open and balanced as I have deliberated on important public policy issues. At times, I have been at odds with my own party about various issues ranging from tax policy to healthcare reform. I am proud of my independence.

Recently, I have had long meaningful discussions about Measure 36, the constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between one man and one woman. While many people might expect me to break once again from my party and oppose Measure 36, they will be interested to know that I am a strong supporter of marriage being defined as being between one man and one woman.

First of all, most of us believe that the Constitution intended for marriage to be defined as being between one man and one woman. In fact, an early Oregon statute dating to 1862 reinforces this fact. Most people, if they were being honest with themselves would agree that the culture of 1859 and the legislature of 1862 had no other intention.

More importantly however is my own strong personal beliefs about how important it is to our culture and society that we hold on and reinforce this very important institution we know as marriage. Study after study and psychiatrist and psychologist alike point to the value and the importance of children having both a mother and a father as role models.

Measure 36 is simple. If it passes, and I hope that it does, it will simply confirm what most of us thought already to be true-Marriage in Oregon is legally defined as being between one man and one woman. Of all our cultural institutions, few are more important and more worth protecting than marriage.

Please, Vote Yes on 36.
Senator Ben Westlund

1999: Ben Voted Against Marriage Equality
In 1999, Senator Westlund voted for a House Resolution (HJR4) to "to establish that marriage may consist only of union of one male and one female".

Some say Senator Westlund has had a change of heart and that should count for something. It does. But, when it comes to the Governor's race, we need someone with a civil rights record longer than one legislative session and the real ability to win-two things Westlund has yet to prove.

Posted by Jenn Stewart

This entry was posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 at 10:44 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.