Over the last several weeks, hundreds of Oregonians have turned out and spoken up over and over again, at hearings before the Senate AND House, to tell the stories of their lives, to talk about their families and to express support for civil unions and a ban on discrimination.

Thanks to your lobbying efforts on SB 1000, BOTH civil unions and a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are moving forward in the Oregon legislature, but in separate bills. Civil unions will move first in the form of SB 1073. Anti-discrimination legislation will follow.

Never before has basic fairness for GLBT Oregonians gotten the attention of Oregon lawmakers like it has this session. Nevertheless, the need has never been greater to keep up the pressure on Oregon lawmakers to support both of our legislative goals.

Our opposition has pulled out all the stops. Now, in the next 30 days, it is time for us to do the same. No matter what the outcome when lawmakers pack up and go home, will you be able to say you did everything you could do to make civil unions and anti-discrimination laws a reality? If you haven't yet made that phone call or sent that letter to your legislator, do it now! If you have already called and already written, do it again. The time is short and the stakes are high.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 03, 2005 at 2:27 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.