Gay and lesbian couples in Oregon suffered a setback at year’s end when a federal judge in Portland, in response to an appeal by an anti-gay religious coalition, delayed implementation of the state’s new domestic partnership act for at least a month. Hundreds of gays and lesbians protested, but blogger Kristin Flickinger on BlueOregon saw it as a teaching opportunity.
“This legal pause is but a gasp, uttered by those fearful of the LGBT community as they realize that the march of history is toward an uncomfortable equality,” she wrote. “This gasp is heard around the country, from the mouths of the same fearful people. … While we wait for the court’s ruling, as we have so many times before, we can take the opportunity to work toward a lasting victory. …
“Now is the time to talk with those we know about what equal rights mean for our families, about how we are personally affected by the historic legislation passed during the 2007 session. Now is the time to talk with our neighbors about their gardens and our schools and the importance of health care. Now is the time to help those who act out of fear to understand that we are human – not almost human, not similarly or separately human, but fully human.”
To all of which The EYE can only add, “Amen.”
This article appears in Jan 3-9, 2008.
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Glad you agree! Now, take the next step.
The GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Oregon is launching our รข Iรข โขm Your Neighborรข ย campaign to make sure that the support for equality exists not only in our legislature and courts, but also in our neighborhoods.
Weรข โขre asking everyone who can to stand up and come out, privately to their friends and families, and publicly through letters to the editor.
We have to come out, because in order for Oregonians to care about GLBT people, they have to know who we are. Fortunately, who we are is pretty powerful รข ” weรข โขre daughters and brothers, coworkers and neighbors. We sit next to each other at church and at the bowling alley รข ” and, itรข โขs time we introduce ourselves.
The only way to achieve long term successรข “permanent equalityรข “is by having conversations. When our allies stand behind us, they do it because they know someone who is GLBT. So take the time to come out to someone you know, and give them the chance to be an ally.
Send a letter to the editor and give all of our communities the chance to stand up for their GLBT neighbors.
You can send your letters through the Oregon House Democrats website and view a sample letter on the GLBT Caucus website.