Oregon Judge Orders Halt to Gay Weddings

[H-Zence]

This thread is intended for responses to the given article, as well as any further discussion which may branch from it.

If you haven't read the selection yet, check out the article dated April 21st, 2004 (currently on our home page).

All opinions welcome. I've chosen to withhold mine for the time being.

[Mike]

I have a few reactions to this article/news.

First, it is definitely unfortunate that the couple mentioned in the article were too late to receive a marriage license before the ban--but, hopefully they can be patient and glad in the fact that their county just became the first to officially recognize gay marriages, and that bodes well for a legislative decision to allow marriage.

At first, I was a bit dismayed over the 90 day requirement to draft a law, but after reading the article closer, it seems to me that the legislature is required to draft a law that is in favor of gay marriages (or "civil unions", at least)--otherwise, I assume, the court would find it unconstitutional. Though, I am still a bit concerned that the 90 day requirement will cause the legislature to rush toward ratification of a bill, and that such a bill may not be marriage, but merely "civil unions". However, given the controversy over this issue, it may be more likely that the 90 days will pass without any resolution and the ban will be lifted.

I am, of course, angered over the comments made by House Speaker Karen Minnis, who is advocating an amendment to the constitution to "define" marriage as a union between man and woman. Apparently these people still have not realized that amending the constitution to limit rights is _not_ within the spirit of integrity. On another note, but sort of goes with this, I was reading in another article (though this wasn't a surprise, I never actually read it as it was put in this article), "Opponents had argued that marriage is the central pillar of the child-rearing family..." I wonder how these opponents defend single parents who raise children, or non-married couples who raise children, and do it quite well.

I am happy to hear about the approval of a bill in the state of California to legalize same-sex marriage. I truly feel that, although it is but one step on a long journey, it is a very positive step that has the potential to reach its destination.

I also cannot wait until May 17th, when Massachusetts will begin allowing gay marriages. It will be a great day for sure, and hopefully prove to the rest of the country that there is nothing to fear and that the "sanctity of marriage" is not at stake. I also believe--and hope--that it will make the opposition less willing to oppose gay marriage, as they would be placed in "the invidious position of rolling back gay rights."