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Oregon passed a ban on Gay Marriage, and though with less a margin than in other states, it wasn't really even close. In discussing the Gay marriage issue I think it is more important to consider Oregon than what happened in traditional Red States that passed bans.
1) Oregon went strong Kerry. Therefore many Kerry voters voted for the Gay Marriage ban. (Conclusion, voters separated Kerry from the Gay Marriage ban.)
2) Oregon has handily thumped anti-gay measures in the past from the religious right, but supported the gay marriage ban. (Conclusion, the term "marriage" is viewed by many voters as different than a civil right.)
I strongly believe a right to civil unions could pass in Oregon immediately, but that "marriage" will take much longer. It is also obvious that the pursuit or belief in gay rights does not make a candidate unelectable.
(My personal view is that government should only be involved with the legal contract created between 2 people regardless of the form of the civil union with or without a religious marriage ceremony. Churches should decide who they will marry and that there are no shortage of churches that would perform gay marriages.)
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