Lawmakers are still going at it over gay rights. This year, two Seattle Democrats are proposing same-sex couples be able to enter civil unions. Representative Ed Murray describes it as a legal alternative to marriage that confers some of the same benefits in the areas of child custody, health care, and inheritance. My belief is that if a civil unions had been in place that allowed same-sex couples to enter into some contractual agreement, we would not have this case before the supreme court today. Murray doubts his measure will get far in the evenly split State House.
Some Republican lawmakers feel it's morally wrong for the state to endorse homosexuality in any way.
They've introduced legislation to withdraw health care benefits recently granted to the same-sex partners of state workers. But that's not moving either. Copyright 2000 Oregon Public Broadcasting, Inc . All Rights Reserved.