Oregon Governor Signs Gay Rights Bills Into Law

SALEM, OR -- Gov. Ted Kulongoski Wednesday signed legislation into law that will recognize same-sex unions as domestic partnerships and ban discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Kulongoski called Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2007 "bills that are actually transformational," and he said they declare that "Oregon is a land of equal opportunity for all our citizens." Both bills will take effect Jan. 1.

More than 100 people watched and applauded as the governor signed the bills on the west steps of the Capitol, including former governor Barbara Roberts, many legislators and dozens of gay rights activists.

Oregon's domestic partnerships measure covers benefits relating to inheritance rights, child-rearing and custody, joint tax filings, joint health, auto and homeowners insurance policies, visitation rights at hospitals and others. Same-sex couples that register to enter a domestic partnership contract that will receive all of the state benefits of marriage.

In Oregon, it is illegal under to refuse to hire or otherwise discriminate against a person because of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age and mental or physical disability, and now sexual orientation will be added to that list.