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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 9, 2005 Senate passes bill allowing civil unions for same-sex couples By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — "Today, the Senate acted as the thoughtful chamber. I’m proud to be a senator," said Alan Bates, summing up two hours of debate Friday on Senate Bill 1000 allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. The measure, which also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, was approved on a 19-10 vote. It now goes to the Republican-controlled House, where it faces an uncertain fate. Bates, an Ashland Democrat, is one of four co-sponsors of the bill — which includes a second Democrat and two Republicans — and he delivered the closing arguments. "Minorities of all kinds deserve equal rights and acceptance," Bates told his colleagues. "We must as a society move from hatred and intolerance to tolerance and acceptance. Advertisement "Senate Bill 1000 helps us do that." In his remarks, the physician disputed statements by some Republican opponents that homosexuality is a learned behavior that makes gays and lesbians a minority by choice. "I believe that homosexuals have no more choice in their sexuality than I have in being a heterosexual," he said, adding that valid evidence shows sexual orientation is determined at birth. Conservative Republicans argued that civil unions violate the spirit of a constitutional amendment adopted by voters in November defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. "We can dance around the issue, but marriage is between a man and a woman. This is a blatant attempt to overturn the will of the people," said Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg. He also called it "another step down the road to Armageddon." Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, characterized SB 1000 as "a form of marriage by another name" and he was critical of adding the provision prohibiting discrimination against gays in housing, employment and public accommodation. He said Republicans would support a declaration of non-discrimination for all Oregonians. In addition to Bates, the sponsors include Sens. Frank Morse, R-Albany; Ben Westlund, R-Tumalo; and Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown, D-Portland, the driving force in getting the measure to the floor. "Senate Bill 1000 is just and right," said Morse, who during his campaign for the Senate took out full-page newspaper advertisements detailing his support for civil unions. He said he expected the best and the worst from constituents since sponsoring the bill, "and I got that, and everything in between." But he said the state has an obligation to protect all minorities as set out in the Oregon Constitution. Added Westlund, "This is a proud and historic day for the Senate, for the Legislature and for the state of Oregon. On this day we can play a small role to ensure the rights and dignity of all Americans." The Senate Rules Committee, which passed out the bill, made several changes to make it more politically palatable. Key among them was modification of language stating that civil unions would offer all the rights and privileges of married couples. That was changed to "substantially equivalent" rights and privileges under state law. In keeping with instructions from Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, the debate on the controversial measure was deliberate and calm. Gay rights advocates wearing light blue T-shirts that said "Support SB 1000" filled the gallery for what will undoubtedly be the best debate of the session. Following the vote, an impromptu news conference was held in the Capitol Rotunda featuring Gov. Ted Kulongoski. "This is the woman who made it happen," Kulongoski said of Brown. He also lauded her co-sponsors. "The hard work starts now," Kulongoski said. "The House has to deliver this bill. That’s the important task today." Don Jepsen is a free-lance writer living in Salem. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers dvd-r helzberg diamonds Distance Education Diamonds Online Poker Computer Security Home Equity Loans Slippers Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Canadian Pharmacy Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Online Casino News Air Purifiers Advertisement s