The rightwingers were able to convince voters in Oregon to prevent LGBT families from having any of the advantages marraige provides.
This writing of discrimination rightfully has had a legal challenge. And the case is scheduled to be heard by a judge on April 23. There is good news on this front as the State's Attorney General has clearly decided singling out LGBT's for discriminatory laws violate the Constitution. From the ACLU press release:
"It means a lot to our family that the State’s Attorney General and Governor have recognized the direct harm the marriage ban creates for families like ours,” said Paul Rummell, one of the ACLU clients in the case. “Denying us the right to be married, because of who we are and who we love, doesn’t just hurt us, but also denies our son the legal recognition and protections that all children should have under our Constitution.”
The State’s brief also notified the court that if the judge agrees that the ban violates the 5th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, the state “is prepared to implement that ruling.” Some court observers predict that marriages of same-sex couples could begin in Oregon by late spring or early summer (see Oregonian article).
ACLU of Oregon executive director David Fidanque said that while there still is one more set of briefs to be filed in the case, the legal issues have already been laid out clearly for the court to decide.
“All of the principal parties in this case agree that Oregon’s marriage ban violates the Constitution and should be struck down,” Fidanque said. “The ACLU is leaving nothing to chance. We want to be sure that Judge McShane will have a clear path to reaching that conclusion based on all of the evidence and the legal arguments presented to the court.”
http://www.aclu-or.org/...
http://www.oregonunitedformarriage.org/...
In six cities throughout Oregon vigils have been scheduled to show public support of equality. The locations are at the link above if attendance is in your interest.
Vigils for the freedom to marry
Oregon is ready for the freedom to marry!It’s taken years of hard work, support and enthusiasm, but Oregon is closer than ever to winning marriage all loving, committed couples in our state. On April 23rd, a federal judge will hear oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Oregon and Basic Rights Oregon that would strike down our state's marriage ban.
These arguments—and this case—are historic. On the night before oral arguments, join hundreds of Oregonians at one of six vigils across the state—and together, we'll send a powerful message: Oregon is ready for marriage.