October 9, 2007

Oregon Bigots Fail in Bid to Kill State DP Law

Opponents of Oregon’s new same-sex domestic partnership law failed to turn in enough valid signatures to block the measure, clearing the way for it to take effect next year, state elections officials said Monday.

Oregon will join eight other states that have approved spousal rights in some form for gay couples — Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, California, Washington and Hawaii. Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay couples to marry.

The Oregon measure covers benefits related to inheritance rights, child-rearing and custody, joint state tax filings, joint health, auto and homeowners insurance policies, visitation rights at hospitals and others. It does not affect federal benefits for married couples, including Social Security and joint filing of federal tax returns.

. . .

State elections officials reported Monday that the effort fell short 116 valid signatures of the 55,179 needed to suspend the law and place it on the November 2008 ballot for a popular vote.

We couldn’t have said it better than swimboy did: “More evidence that the tide is truly turning. Many of the successful efforts of the Rabid Right Wing were accomplished at the last possible moment. Unfortunately, many of those successes will remain with us for some time, as in Virginia. At this point, however, they are trying to fling obstacles behind them as they give up the ground they are steadily losing. When they finally determine we are no longer a cash bonanza for their fund-raising we will need to be sure we help to defend and assist whoever it is the assholes choose next.”

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Posted by: Sapphocrat

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