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Elissa Hoss
Dr. Kenneth Bagley
UNST 121A
5 November 2013
Reflection: Gay Marriage Campaign – Oregon
As of late there has been an increase in the number of same sex marriage
supporters on street corners, public transit, and school campuses in Oregon. This is due to
the ongoing fight to place same sex marriage on Oregon's ballot in 2014. There are strong
forces with loud voices on both sides of this issue raising alarm and reason to their
opinion. The side running for same-sex marriage advocates for their love to be
recognized with the same intensity that the basic human rights of heterosexuals are
recognized daily. The opposing side believes strongly in traditional marriage and are
troubled by the idea of change in something so fundamental to their daily lives. Same-sex
marriage is banned in Oregon’s state constitution since the state voted for Measure 36 in
2004. Although there are laws in place to grant same-sex couples rights and recognition
of out-of-state marriages, there is still a loud and persistent fight for a more concrete
recognition of same-sex couples marriages and rights, not only under state law, but
federal law as well.
Many organizations and large churches across the U.S. have campaigns
throughout the states, including Oregon, to not only keep the current marriage laws
standing, but also to further demolish the rights of same-sex couples. One of the most
well known advocates for this side of the issue in Oregon is a group called “Protect
Marriage Oregon.” Their website has a brief section describing to viewers just what they
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are fighting for. According to this organization, under the heading Why Marriage
Matters, traditional marriage between a man and a woman is the foundation of society. It
is clear to see that this organization is not only against same-sex marriage, but is very
strongly versed in their opinion of the matter. One specific quote from their website states
“There are profound consequences when gay marriage is legalized beyond the trashing of
the role of marriage in society.” This organization has a point with the consequences it
has brought up, one of them being the adjustment of teaching same-sex marriage in
schools. States such as Massachusetts who have legalized same-sex marriage are running
into problems with parents who oppose the teachings of same-sex marriage to their
children. It is clear that the shift of legalizing same-sex marriage does not only effect the
lives of same-sex couples, but also the lives of those in our country who are already set in
their knowledge of marriage as it legally stands, between a man and a woman. If there is
to be a change in laws in the near future one thing is sure, there will be more fighting to
come if those against homosexuality are forced to accept a change in the legal standings
of marriage.
As we approach 2014 it is apparent that the fight for marriage equality and
recognition of same-sex couples does not show any signs of diminishing, even if they
lose the ballot in Oregon. However, organizations and out spoken individuals backing
this effort have no plans for losing next years ballot. The fight for same-sex marriage in
Oregon is pushing to speak for those who want one thing - to have their relationships and
love for another acknowledge in a way that is so easily given to heterosexuals every day.
SatesmanJournal.com has published several articles on this ever-rising issue in Oregon.
One article, Justice directive: Oregon to recognize gay marriages from other states,
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discusses several opinions of everyday Oregonians who support every advancement and
effort that has been made towards recognizing same-sex couples. One Portlander who is
mentioned in the article states, “I’m happy for those couples who will have more
recognition, but I’m from here and I’m in the exact same relationship, but it’s not
recognized in the same way.” This mans name is Ben West, an Oregonian is eagerly
awaiting the chance to marry his partner in Oregon state. Ben, like so many others, is
grateful for certain laws advancing recognition of same-sex couples, however there is still
frustration in the simple fact that these laws do not fulfill all of a persons rights. The
recognition to which Ben refers is due to a law passed in Oregon in 2008. According to
the National Conference of Sate Legislatures in Oregon, as of February 1st 2008, samesex couples are able to enter into domestic partnerships. Although this new law was an
exciting development in the fight for marriage equality there is a catch that leads to the
feeling of frustration among many. These domestic partnerships, though recognized at
state level, do not guarantee recognition in other states or at the federal level. Meaning
also that federal protections such as social security are not guaranteed. Though the fight
for marriage equality is further than it was in 2004 its is easy to see the frustration and
want for something better and truly equal for same-sex couples, something many will be
anxiously waiting for in 2014 as we approach voting season.
Another article on StatesmanJournal.com, House parties across state kick off
same sex marriage campaign, shows the hopeful attitude of those whose lives are
consumed by this growing campaign for marriage equality. The leader of the national
Freedom to Marry campaign, Evan Wolfson, comments in this article on just how great
of an effect a win in Oregon would have on the rest of the country. In reference to a
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supposed win in Oregon he states, “the reverberations that will come from that Oregon
win will give us what we need to say to the Supreme Court. ‘The country has moved. The
times have changed. The people have come around. The constitution is there. Bring it
on.’ ” Wolfson, along with many others, is confident in this campaigns ability to not only
change marriage in the Oregon, but across the federal government of the United States.
The efforts of this man, and many like him, warm my heart personally. I have never been
one to oppose any fight for equality, however this issue holds a special place for my
passionate response. Not only do I have a sister waiting to marry the love of her life in
Oregon someday, but I too wish to someday be able to marry the woman of my dreams
without someone telling me that my love does not deserve recognition. Those fighting
hardest for this equality are doing such amazing work by fighting for people they don’t
even know. I am honored and awed by the amount of people working to make this issue
present on the 2014 Oregon ballot, not only for my benefit but for the thousands of
Americans who simply wish to have their love recognized and honored. The day samesex marriage appears on the Oregon ballot, one thing is one hundred percent sure; they
will have my vote checked in the box labeled “yes.”
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Works Cited
Staver, Anna. "Justice Directive: Oregon to recognize gay marriages from other states."
Statesman Journal. (2013): n. page. Web. 6 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20131018/NEWS/310180032/Justicedirective-Oregon-recognize-gay-marriages-from-other-states>.
Yoo, Saerom. "House parties across state kick off same sex marriage campaign."
Statesman Journal. (2013): n. page. Web. 6 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20131104/NEWS/311040017/House-partiesacross-state-kick-off-same-sex-marriage-campaign>.
“Why Marriage Matters”, Protect Marriage Oregon, accessed November 5, 2013,
http://www.protectmarriageoregon.com/why-marriage-matters/.
“Civil Unions & Domestic Partnership Statutes”, National Conference of State
Legislatures, last modified June 26, 2013, accessed November 5, 2013,
http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/civil-unions-and-domestic-partnershipstatutes.aspx.
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