Second Oregon County OKs Gay Marriage

[FreeState]

PORTLAND, Ore. - Benton County will become the second county in Oregon to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, County Commissioner Linda Modrell said Tuesday.

The county, home to Oregon State University, follows in the footsteps of Multnomah County, the state's most populous, which has issued over 2,200 licenses to gay couples since March 3.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040317/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage_oregon_1

[CalebHayes]

1. Oh no!! It is spreading like wildfire!!!

Better make a vaccine for it. lol.

[FreeState]

4. I know

next thing you know every law abiding adult in this country is going to want the same rights and privileges that heterosexual male white men have! Better stop that radical idea now!

[Aidoneus]

2. it might end here..

Portland & Corvallis are the most not-RW areas here, maybe Eugene's county will be next soon. Not sure if Marion or Linn will follow.

[swag]

5. Yeah, I'm surprised that Lane County (Eugene) wasn't first

off the blocks on this one.

Proud resident of Multnomah County, Gommorah of Oregon.

[CalebHayes]

6. Why haven't they?

[kayell]

3. Woohoo!

:bounce: Some new heros to add to the list.

[jsw_81]

7. While I personally support gay marriage...

I think this has a real possibility of backfiring on us in November. Oregon went for Gore by less than one percentage point in 2000, and this is NOT the time for liberals to start antagonizing moderate/suburban swing voters who may have real problems with gay marriage.

Most voters seem to support civil unions -- this is really incredible when you consider how freaked out everyone was after the Vermont situation a few years back -- but I think promoting gay marriage is a non-starter for liberals and Democrats this fall.

[kayell]

10. While I personally "support" heterosexuals who seem to think they support

gay marriage, I'm getting damn tired of being told that it's just not a politically convenient time for me to want my civil rights.

If the suffrigests had waited until a politically convenient time, I still wouldn't have the vote. If blacks had waited until a politicaly convenient time, they would still be attending seperate but equal schools.

Personally, I'd rather have people who don't really support my civil rights just come out and say it rather than hide behind their weakassed pretend sympathetic non-support.

Are we a party with the courage of our convictions, or the party of quislings and cowards?

[belle]

15. Thank you.

[mitchtv]

18. thank you

Our time is now.

[jsw_81]

19. I'm gay myself

But if we keep pushing gay marriage on an electorate that is clearly against gay marriage at this point in time, not only will we see Bush re-elected with a mandate for "traditional family values" (AKA homophobia), but we'll also get an anti-gay amendment tacked onto our precious Constitution. Is that what you want? Because that's what we're going to get if these liberal cities and towns keep violating the law. Not only does it make us look like hypocrites, but it energizes the right-wing. And only an idiot tries to fight a battle that he can't win.

[Fargin Ice Hole]

20. Actually It's not breaking the law in Oregon.

The law guarantees equal civil liberties for all.

[Endangered Specie]

13. Or it could swing more moderates towards us...

bc now we are showing are spine... many moderates vote on integrity and courage then just issues.

[kayell]

14. I like that idea

We could be the party that stands up for what's right. The champions of the underdog, protectors of men, women and children, and defenders of civil and human rights! What a concept! Why it's ...downright... DEMOCRATIC!

[belle]

17. I agree with this, also.

[rucky]

21. i wouldn't lose too much sleep over it

can't put the genie back in the bottle.

oregon will go blue.

[DrWeird]

8. Damn! I'm in Corvallis!

Woo hoo!

Looks like I won't be the only one protesting on the 20th after all!

[sandnsea]

9. Whoa!! Corvallis!!!

Not Lane County?? What is going on in Oregon!!! I am stunned, never would have thought this would happen at Corvallis before Eugene! (I'm in Florence)

[DrWeird]

11. Only been to Florence twice.

Kind of set me on edge, sort of like that town from Lost Boys.

Read the little paper you guys have out there. There was a LTTE about how if black people want equality they should give there kids normal names. I'd wouldn't expect gay marriage to get to Florence any time soon. But hey, look at Corvallis.

[sandnsea]

23. I don't subscribe

But there are pockets of liberals here and we're hearing alot of anger at Bush from everybody. I'm actually shocked the paper would print a letter like that, maybe it was to remind people assholes are everywhere. And come to think of it, I've known as many gay people here as anywhere else I've lived. You might be surprised.

[democracyindanger]

22. Exactly

Cornvalley? Liberal? I've been away too long.

[megatherium]

12. Cow Valley??

I went to graduate school in Eugene. I too am surprised Lane County wasn't the second county after Multnomah.

[DrWeird]

16. More.

Corvallis is the biggest town in Benton County. Still, it's more like Mayberry then Eugene or Portland. DU this poll.