1:51PM
Outside of the House Majority Leader's office supporters are gathered to celebrate this historic moment. Speaker Merkley, Majority Leader Hunt, Rep. Rosenbaum, Rep. Macphearson, and Rep. Kotek all gave a few remarks before supporters relaying their excitement over the passages of HB2007 and SB2. Majority Leader Hunt mentioned that this is a great moment in our history and giant stride on the path toward equality.

1:34PM
It's okay to breathe. Then shout in excitement for the passing of these two pieces of historic legislation. Both bills will be sent to the Senate for consideration. Even though SB2 was passed once in the Senate, it was amended in the House so it must go back to the Senate. Watch your email for the next steps.

1:33PM
SB2 passes 35-25.

1:33PM
Voting system is open.

1:31PM
Rep. Rosenbaum finished the debate and called for a call of the house requiring the attendance of all members. The vote is coming.

1:26PM
Rep. Rosenbaum is closing the debate on the bill. A vote will be coming shortly. 34 years is long enough to question this bill and debate this bill.

1:23PM
Rep. Kotek just rose as a point personal privilege to request that Rep. Richardson monitor his words as they could be interpreted as attacking her character.

1:17PM
Opponent Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, after asking a series of questions is now speaking on the floor of the House. He began stating that he was not going to be speaking about nature vs. nurture, but he's going down a path of comparing not hiring a heavy smoker due to their behavior to discriminating based on sexual orientation.

1:06PM
Following reading a telephone transcript, Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, read 1 Corinthians 6:10-11,

"Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God."

It was just read on the floor of the House. He concluded that SB2 is a step in the wrong direction.

1:02PM
Rep. Thatcher is continuing her speech on the floor quoting the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. stating that rights for gays and lesbians are not civil rights. Rather than a niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., I believe that Coretta Scott King might be a more accurate representation of the views of MLK, Jr. when she stated in 1998, "I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice," she said. "But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'" "I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people." - Reuters, March 31, 1998.

12:52PM
Rep. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, is questioning the carriers of the bill regarding the inclusion of transgendered individuals in the definition of sexual orientation. She is continuing her questioning regarding the administration of SB2 and is seeking clarification on a definition of sexual orientation. She "can't wait" for the courts to interpret this law. One part she keeps discussing is the notion of real or perceived sexual orientation. This language exists in SB2 to protect all Oregonians. We heard testimony of individuals being denied services simply because they were perceived to be homosexual, despite the fact they are heterosexual.

12:45PM
Another question from Rep. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, regarding the hiring practices of private catholic hospitals and how SB2 would affect these practices.

12:39PM
Apologize for the delay. There is questioning of SB2 with regard to some sections regarding the accommodation of those protected in this bill with regards to locker rooms in high schools and employment dress codes. In this latest series we've covered if the Dept. of Corrections was consulted in the drafting of the legislation to the potential financial impact of the bill.

12:25PM
Another young member of the legislature, Rep. David Edwards, rises in support of SB2. "Our social covenant means that together we are responsible for the character of our state." Freedom from discrimination is the important part of this legislation and to be deprived of it is the type of excommunication of our society. "In this moment, I am compelled to own up to God's love...this hour demands the whole of our attention."

12:16PM
Rep. Linda Flores, R-Clackamas, is asking multiple questions regarding some element she considers the bill to require affirmative action for the protected category of sexual orientation. She is now speaking in opposition to the bill. She is claiming that supporters at the hearing last week in the House hearing showed intolerance toward an elderly couple and were given preferential treatment in seating on the hearing. She also stated that she has to vote her values on this bill and will not be voting yes.

12:07PM
House Majority Leader, Dave Hunt, is speaking in support of SB2. He is recounting the history of this type of legislation and how long it has taken to get here. He is describing how he met with 30 religious leaders to develop the religious exemption language. "SB2 gives broad deference to religious institutions." Additionally, there are hundreds of religious organizations across this state that have signed on in support of SB2.
Rep. Hunt shared that at his father's funeral (his father was a pastor) a woman who was a lesbian shared how important his father was in supporting her during a time of reconciling her sexual orientation and her God. That was his legacy and Rep. Hunt stated, "Today is our legacy."

11:54AM
As one who has attended private catholic school, Rep. Chip Shields, is rising to support the bill but with discomforts that religious institutions will still be able to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

11:52AM
Rep. Brad Witt, D-Clatskanie, just rose on the House floor to speak in support of this bill in disbelief that we are still debating elements of civil rights. He stated, Rational human beings do not choose lifetimes of intolerance and discrimination.

11:50AM
A continuation of the supportive legislators on SB2. Rep. Ben Cannon talked about the importance this legislation will have in making it clear to administrators, principles and teachers in our schools that no student should face discrimination. No school should be an unsafe place for learning.

11:41AM
The debate on SB2 has been supportive. There have been a few questions from legislators, but all debate and speeches have been in agreement with providing comprehensive non-discrimination to all Oregonians.

11:37AM
Yea Votes on HB2007
Barker, Barnhart, Berger, Beyer, Bonamici, Boone, Buckley, Burley, Cannon,
Clem, Cowan, Dingfelder, Edwards, C, Edwards, D, Galizio, Gelser, Greenlick,
Holvey, Hunt, Jenson, Komp, Kotek, Macpherson, Nathanson, Nolan, Read,
Riley, Roblan, Rosenbaum, Schaufler, Shields, Tomei, Witt, Speaker Merkley


11:31AM
On Oregon State University day at the Capitol, University of Oregon graduate Rep. Kotek took the floor again to support SB2 that we have been fighting for over 30 years to get into law. She is sharing the stories of those who testified in committee, specifically those of parents who had their children discriminated against just because they were gay. From stories regarding discrimination against opening bank accounts to being denied a room at a hotel at the Oregon Coast just on the basis of sexual orientation.

11:26AM
Rep. Macpherson is the co-sponsor of this bill and spoke about the basic equality that SB2, The Oregon Equality Act, would bring to GLBT persons in Oregon.

11:17AM
Rep. Rosenbaum is presenting SB2.

11:17AM
HB2007 passes 34-26. Three Republicans (Berger, Burley, Jenson) voted yes on HB2007. This was primarily due to great work done by citizens contacting these legislators and urging their support of this legislation. I specifically remember the large group from Bend on BRO's Day of Action spending a good amount of time with Rep. Burley. Thank you for all your hard work in making this a reality. HB2007 now moves to the Senate.

11:16AM
The voting system is now open with regards to if HB2007 should pass.

11:13AM
After about 45 minutes debating the bill, Rep. Kotek is now giving a closing statement on the bill. After this bill, "The world will be different." "This is about bringing people in, not shutting them out."

11:06AM
Rep. Gelser is speaking on the floor regarding the Godmother of her child calling Rep. Gelser after her partner had been hit by a drunk driver. Going through that tragic event the first call was not to friends or family for the Godmother, but it was to the attorney that drafted documents in an attempt to protect this couple in an event like this.
During a difficult child birth it was unclear if Rep. Gelser would survive, but there was not a call to attorneys by her husband to ensure he had custody of the child or the right to make decisions in her best interest. This situation is not true for same-sex couples under current Oregon law and with her vote today, Rep. Gelser hopes to help make things more fair. She urged her colleagues to, "Be courage and be hope."

10:57AM
Rep. Girod is "proud to be voting no. Thanks."

10:55AM
Rep. Chip Shields is speaking to the difference between domestic partnership and marriage.
"I believe years from now we'll remember the historic significance of this moment, but we'll also see plainly the short sightedness of these efforts...it is a big step forward on the road to equality."

10:47AM
Rep. Buckley has taken the floor after some opposition to HB2007. Rep. Buckley is sharing about the lesbian couple that were his neighbors as he was a new parent. Through the struggles he endured in life with the growth of his children, he remembers the lesbian couple there supporting his family. He also remembers watching one of the partners dealing with the passing of a parent and how the lesbian couple did not share the same rights as he did in enduring life events. "When people ask me why we should pass this bill, the answer is why shouldn't we?"

10:37AM
Rep. Richardson is claiming in debate on the floor that HB2007 creates "special rights" because a mother and daughter cannot enter a domestic partnership.

10:30PM
Rep. Kotek just delivered a moving speech with her partner Amy sitting by her side on the floor of the House. She urged her fellow lawmakers to recognize her loving committed relationship like the state currently recognizes their families. She said that this can be one of the best days of a legislator as HB2007 is a chance to make stronger families in Oregon.
Rep. Rosenbaum is continuing to carry this bill on the floor right now.

10:24AM
IT'S TIME! After getting through the daily grind, Speaker Merkely just introduced HB2007 and Rep. Kotek is leading the opening of the debate on the bill.

10:05AM
The session has begun. The former speaker of the House, Karen Minnis, who you may remember from 2005, blocked similar legislation from a vote on the floor of the House, entered after the presentation of arms and pledge of allegiance.

9:58AM
Looking across the Gallery in the House, we've identified another blogger. The Mercury's Amy Ruiz is blogging on Blog Town PDX. Check it out!

9:45AM
The BRO Communications Team is blogging LIVE! from the Gallery of the House as we await the beginning of what should be a historic day for Oregon.

Labels: HB 2007, legislature, oregon, SB2

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 9:44 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.