Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 16:06:17 -0800 (PST) From: lmfamily@teleport.com (Bonnie Tinker) OREGON FREEDOM TO MARRY COALITION P.O. Box 11694 Portland, OR 97212 Anti-Gay Marriage Bill A Costly Diversion Freedom to Marry Coalition Urges Unity to support All Families For Immediate Release Thursday, April 03, 1997 Contact: Bonnie Tinker Ron Schlittler Co-Chair Co-Chair 503-228-3892; 281-4847 503- 721-3166 w; 503- 295-6483 Portland =96 Representatives of The Oregon Freedom to Marry Coalition will= be in Salem=20 Thursday afternoon, April 3, 1997, to testify against Senate Bill 577 which would prohibit legal=20 recognition of same-sex marriages in Oregon. =20 The Oregon Freedom to Marry Coalition is dismayed that Oregon legislators= are=20 diverting their attention from important family issues such as school funding and an adequate=20 financial base for government services to enter into discussion of legislation which is vindictive,=20 probably unconstitutional, and undermines the strength of Oregon families. = =20 Senate Bill 577 will not change the status of heterosexual or same-sex marriages. With=20 or without this legislation, the 700 plus references in Oregon Law to rights and responsibilities=20 of legally recognized marriage will remain reserved for heterosexuals. Meanwhile, same-sex=20 couples will continue to celebrate their marriages socially and within their churches but will be=20 denied the equal rights of legally recognized marriage. =20 Senate Bill 577 replaces the traditional recognition between states of marriage laws=20 with new language that singles out one group of people - and their children- for discrimination.=20 With or without this legislation a number of same sex couples in Oregon, including many with=20 children, are prepared to seek legal recognition of their marriages. =20 Serving no practical purpose, Senate Bill 577 is intended to re-ignite anti-gay sentiment=20 and prolong the painful divisions communities suffered during ballot measure 9 in 1992 and=20 ballot measure 13 in 1994. The Oregon Freedom to Marry Coalition urges legislators to reject this divisive action. =20 Lawmakers and citizens should come together in a genuine defense of families. We must all: =20 (1) work to eradicate domestic violence and child abuse; (2) work to provide mediation and=20 family counseling that will lessen the devastation of divorce and custody battles on children; =20 (3) work to protect family incomes; (4) find a way to provide adequate, consistent funding for=20 schools. Media wishing to interview lesbian or gay couples, clergy people, or community activists=20 on this issue can contact Love Makes A Family, Inc., 228-3892. =20 ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE BILL A COSTLY DIVERSION 4/3/97 PAGE 2 ****************************************************************************** To subscribe to the list, email MAJORDOMO@abacus.oxy.edu the one line message 'subscribe homoradio'. To unsubscribe to the list, email MAJORDOMO@abacus.oxy.edu with the one line message 'unsubscribe homoradio'. To send a message to the entire list "homoradio", email homoradio@abacus.oxy.edu *******************************************************************************