Basic Rights Oregon executive director Jeana Frazzini said today she was not surprised to learn that anti-gay interests have filed initiatives to repeal Oregon’s domestic partnership law and anti-discrimination law. The domestic partnership repeal initiative was filed late Friday by State Senator Fred Girod (R-Stayton) and State Rep. Sal Esquivel (R-Medford). Chief petitioners on the initiative to repeal Oregon’s anti-discrimination law include State Senator Gary George (R-Newberg) and Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer). The second initiative was filed late Monday.“Our opponents have said all along that they would file again,” Frazzini said. “While I’m not surprised that initiatives to repeal the laws have been filed, I’m shocked that this effort has been spearheaded by legislators whose duty is to protect Oregonians.”

The legislators reportedly agreed to lend their names to the anti-gay measures at the request of Marilyn Shannon, a leader of last year’s failed effort against the laws.

One measure would repeal the state’s domestic partnership law, which gives committed couples the legal recognition necessary to care for one another, especially in a crisis. The other would overturn legislation making discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations against the law. But Frazzini said that both efforts are out of step with Oregon values.

“The truth is that Oregonians don’t want to put their neighbors in harm’s way by taking these laws off the books,” Frazzini said. “Oregonians believe that loving couples who have made a lifelong commitment to one another should have the basic security provided by domestic partnerships. And Oregonians believe that discrimination is wrong.”

Although Frazzini said she feels confident that Oregonians would vote “No” on a repeal of either law, she said that Basic Rights Oregon is prepared for a challenging campaign. “We know that this effort has the support of out-of-state interests with deep pockets,” she said.

The chief petitioners on the initiatives have until July 3 to collect nearly 83,000 signatures to put their petitions on the November 2008 ballot. Frazzini said that Basic Rights Oregon will closely monitor the signature gathering process to ensure that all elections rules are followed. The two groups who sought to force a referendum on the laws in 2007 are under investigation by the Oregon Secretary of State for violating campaign finance laws.

Read the text of the proposed initiative petition to repeal Oregon’s domestic partnership law.

Read the text of the proposed initiative petition to repeal Oregon’s anti-discrimination law.

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