
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.
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