Hundreds of Oregonians Gather in Seven Cities Across the State to Demonstrate Support, and Urgent Need, for Domestic Partnership Rights

Candlelight vigils were held in seven cities across Oregon tonight, the same day that Oregon’s domestic partnership law for committed, caring couples should have gone into effect. Vigils were held Portland, Eugene, Pendleton, Salem, Bend, Ashland, and Corvallis.

The events drew attention to the harm to Oregon families caused by last Friday’s shocking news that a federal court was issuing a temporary restraining order delaying implementation of the law. The case, brought by right wing, out-of-state groups who had tried – and failed – to collect enough signatures to overturn the law by referendum, challenged the Oregon Election’s Office’s decades-old method of counting valid signatures.

“This is an eleventh-hour attempt to get around the law,” said Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Jeana Frazzini. “These out-of-state groups failed to garner the necessary support for their effort to repeal domestic partnerships, so now they want the rules changed.”

Frazzini announced tonight at the Portland event that Basic Rights Oregon is officially seeking to intervene in the case on behalf of all Oregonians who need the rights and protections of domestic partnerships. “Today Basic Rights Oregon filed a Motion to Intervene in Lemons v. Bradbury. The court has grossly underestimated the harm that further delay of domestic partnerships will cause to Oregon families. Becoming a party to the case gives our community the opportunity to raise these issues.” The organization had previously submitted a “friend of the court” brief in the case.

Sally Sparks of Portland is joining Basic Rights Oregon in asking the court to intervene in the case on behalf of her family. Sparks and her partner are expecting their second child in early February, and had planned to register as domestic partners prior to the birth. “Registering as domestic partners would have given my partner the legal right to make medical decisions in case there is an emergency, and it would mean that our child would have the protection of two legally-recognized parents,” said Sparks. “This delay hurts my family so much – both emotionally and practically.”

At the events, community leaders, elected officials, and allied organizations lit candles in recognition of those couples and families who continue to live without critical family rights and protections. State Representative Peter Buckley of Ashland told the local crowd, “Delaying these rights is unnecessary, and it is hurtful to so many Oregon families. I personally know committed, caring couples who need the security and protections of domestic partnerships now.”

Donna Taylor, 61, and Paula Kratz, 58, of Talent have been together for 35 years. They had planned to register as domestic partners this very morning. “At this point in our lives, our major concerns are inheritance rights and the right to care for each other if one of us becomes ill,” said Taylor. “How anyone could object to us doing so is beyond me. Yet here we are 35 years later, and every day that passes is another day we’re not protected.”

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