County will license gay nuptials (Multnomah County - Portland, Oregon)

[eeyore]

LAURA GUNDERSON and DAVID AUSTIN


Multnomah County will begin granting marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples today, making it the first jurisdiction in Oregon to officially recognize that same-sex couples can marry.

With a supportive legal opinion from the county attorney, Multnomah County Board Chairwoman Diane Linn will order employees in the licensing office to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples this morning.

The move comes after County Commissioners Lisa Naito and Serena Cruz requested a legal opinion from County Attorney Agnes Sowle, who said that not granting licenses is a violation of the Oregon Constitution.

"It's a matter of civil rights," Naito said. "As soon as we got a strong written opinion, we felt then that we couldn't deny people their basic civil rights. I do think we'll receive criticism, but from how I see it, it doesn't matter. We're really required to do this under the constitution."

Cruz said the county has not only a legal obligation but also a moral one. "I see no reason why gays and lesbians shouldn't have the same access to the same rights, responsibilities and privileges that my husband and I do."

---snip---

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1078318717116670.xml

Woohoo! The circus is coming to my hometown! Can't wait till they bring out the screaming Dinos.

Here we go folks - tough to put that genie back in the bottle now! I'm starting to believe that Georgie's decision to push this issue will be looked upon historically as one of the the turning points in aquiring gay civil rights.

[bearfan454]

1. I believe you are correct

These POS repukes are showing their real colors.

[thebaghwan]

2. Yes, an outstanding comment!

n/t

[Arugula Latte]

3. Hooray for our town!

:toast:

[Jack The Tab]

4. Bush truly is a uniter!!! Uniting all who favor civil rights!

I hope a city in every single state starts issuing gay marriage licenses!

[West Coast Democrat]

5. Why are there always huge line-ups after these announcements?

I'm just wondering. Apparently there is a big line-up of couples waiting for licenses outside the county offices now. I'll be getting married this spring (not a gay marriage), and I wonder if I'll have to wait in some huge line now because of all of the gay weddings!

[northzax]

6. That's a silly question

Any time someone gets a right previously denied them, there are huge lines to take advantage of it, before someone takes it away again. Look at the lines for people to vote in newly democratic countries. Unless you are planning t oget your license on the day your local authority decides to leave the stone age and marry gays, you'll be ok.

[West Coast Democrat]

7. But in Oregon there is no law preventing gay marriage

so I'm not sure why folks are in a sudden rush.

[TopesJunkie]

9. It's possible they'll find a judge to block it for the time being.

Law or no law. There is a very good reason for the rush.

[West Coast Democrat]

10. The judge won't find any grounds

there is no law against it in Oregon.

[TopesJunkie]

11. Don't count on it.

If you were a same-sex couple, you'd be down there. Believe me.

[West Coast Democrat]

13. They'd need to pass a Ballot Measure to stop them

and that is a long process.

[northzax]

12. well, there's been no law preventing it for

150 years, and yet today was the first time gay couples could get licensed.

[West Coast Democrat]

14. That's because it's All the Rage right now

[northzax]

15. perhaps, but the fact that a legal act

was never committed (and I know several couples in Oregon who will take advantage of this) and that it requires a new reading of the law, means it might as well be new.

[TopesJunkie]

8. Vote in this poll!

Go to www.oregonlive.com and vote in the poll! Do it now! Please!

Oh, man. And this one: http://www.katu.com

We're way behind on the second one.

[maxsolomon]

16. where are you king county?

multnomah is helping san francisco out - we should too.

you can't stop a stampede.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. Good for my former county of residence!

I hope my former landladies from my first home in Portland are taking advantage of it.

[Moderator]

18. Dupe... locking

Please continue discussion within the original LBN Thread on this topic, posted Tuesday evening by missb:

Multnomah County to begin issuing gay marriage licenses

It would be very helpful if you could add any links or new news coverage to the original thread.

Thanks!

DU Moderator