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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, December 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 10, 2004 Measure 36: A constitutional argument erupts By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune The question of whether marriage should be defined as between one woman and one man in the Oregon Constitution has divided Jackson County residents and other Oregonians. Bill Layton, chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, said his party opposes the measure. "Most of our members are appalled at this attempt to put a religious viewpoint in the Oregon Constitution," he said. Bryan Platt, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee, said a marriage between one man and one woman is clearly supported in his party platform and is an issue that many Republicans feel is more important than other issues or candidates on the ballot. "A lot of people feel strongly about Measure 36 that are not engaged in the party politics," Platt said. Advertisement Rebekah Kassell, press secretary for the No on Constitutional Amendment 36 campaign, said defeat of the measure won’t legalize marriage for gays. She said it will allow a continuing debate about gay marriage rather than shutting the door to that possibility. "It just allows us to continue a conversation," she said. Georgene Rice, spokesperson for the Yes on 36 campaign, said Measure 36 is designed with the best interests of children in mind. "It’s about the parenting styles of males and females," she said. A heterosexual marriage gives children the benefit of being raised with the advantage of having a man and a woman as role models, providing the best framework for a healthy upbringing, said Rice. "A heterosexual marriage celebrates diversity," she said. "Children do best with a mother and a father." But Kassell disputed claims that healthy, well-adjusted children can only be raised by different-sex parents. She said groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and others are opposed to any effort to deny the protection of marriage to gay and lesbian families. Kassell disagreed with other claims that gay couples can receive virtually the same benefits as married couples. "There is no truth to the claim you can get all the benefits of marriage through contracts," she said. If there is no marriage, 60 percent of contested wills don’t hold up in court, she said. In one case a police officer in Oregon was killed in the line of duty. The officer’s partner was denied survivor benefits because they weren’t married, said Kassell. In other cases, a person is denied access to health care, or one person loses the right to be buried next to a loved one. "This hurts thousands of families," Kassell said. Rice said the measure would help businesses that have expressed concern about the cost of extending health benefits to homosexual couples. She said the measure wouldn’t exclude homosexual couples from adopting children. "They would have to borrow from heterosexuality if they want a family," she said. She said the measure also doesn’t prevent anyone from having a committed relationship. Kassell said people on both sides want to frame this as a religious issue. She said there is disagreement in the religious community over the measure and added many denominations have come down against it. Kassell, who said her group might challenge the measure in court if it passes, said the state’s constitution is no place for an amendment that provides unequal treatment for one group of citizens. Although many individual voters might argue that this measure is about Christian values, Rice said, "The campaign is not presenting a religious argument in favor of the measure." The idea behind Measure 36, she says, is not a new concept in Oregon. Rice said there are more than 300 state statutes that affirm marriage as a union between one man and one woman. She disputed Kassell’s assertion that the constitution is no place for an amendment that treats people unfairly. "The equal protection clause doesn’t mean it extends to just anyone," she said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities