Oregon Launches Campaign to Repeal Gay Marriage Ban

Oregon's largest gay-rights group launched their campaign Monday to legalize same-sex marriage in the state, reports the Advocate.

Basic Rights Oregon may support a 2012 repeal of Ballot Measure 36, one of 11 state constitutional amendments banning gay marriage in 2004. The measure passed with 57 percent of voters in support.

The grassroots educational campaign is a primary step to repeal the state's five-year-old constitutional amendment banning marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The group is sponsoring a community outreach effort that encourages broad public dialogue on marriage rights in communities, churches, and civic organizations.

Evan Wolfson, founder and executive director of Freedom to Marry a New York City-based organization fighting for same-sex marriage, will speak at the Basic Rights kick-off events.

Marriage "is one of the most important statements we make about who we are," he said. "It is so important to commitment and love that most people wear the symbol of it on their hands."

"This is a concerted, smart effort to get people to talk to their friends, their neighbors, and their coworkers," said Wolfson. "It's a major public education effort that will play out over the coming months -- and years."

In 2007 the Oregon state legislature established a domestic-partnership registry and passed antidiscrimination laws in employment, housing, and public facilities based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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