By Heather Hintze
EUGENE, Ore.-- Basic Rights Oregon launched their "Marriage Matters" campaign to get Oregonians talking openly about gay marriage.
The group hopes to put an initiative on the 2012 ballot to not only overturn the 2004 ban on same-sex marriage, but to legalize it as well.
They expect to face opposition from the Oregon Family Council, which fought to ban gay marriage in that 2004 election.
The Defense of Marriage Coalition says in a written statement, "Basic Rights Oregon has the right to bring up this discussion again. However, they can be certain that we will once again provide Oregonians with thoughtful, well reasoned arguments for the importance of preserving traditional marriage in Oregon."
The Director for Basic Rights Oregon, Jeana Frazzini, says everyone should be allowed to marry, regardless of their sexual preference, "It's the ultimate expression of committment, love, responsibility, it's the best way to provide for your family. I think these are values all of us share as Oregonians and our hopes it that through this work, through these conversations we will really be able to reach folks all over Oregon."
Most residents we spoke with say they support gay marriage.
"It's no one's business and it certainly shouldn't be anyone's business legally or in terms of taking away rights that regular couples have," says Mark Hurwit of Eugene.
We spoke with a number of people who are opposed to gay marriage, but only one man would go on-record with us.
"I think a marriage is between a husband and wife and to get all the benefits you're supposed to get for that, I don't think it's right for them to get all the benefits you would in a legal marriage," says Sherwood King of Eugene.
Basic Rights Oregon will kick off their campaign in Eugene on Wednesday, November 4.
Comments
Gay Marriages
I same sex "marriage" is to happen then will the same laws apply for divorce? Same sex unions is what was happening in the Old Testament when God decided to destroy Sodom and Gamora . Do we want God's wrath poured out on this country?
If same sex unions are going to happen and they want all of the rights of marriages between man and woman the all of the other laws pertaining to a break-up should also apply.
Dan Buster
Gay rights
Homosexuals are human too. They deserve the same rights are heterosexuals. HOWEVER, marriage is a religious act. It's sanctified by the church. It was created by the churches are a religious right to perform the act of procreation. I feel that gay people should have a similar sanction, but don't call is marraige... A civil union is what it is and that's what it should be called. Marriage is a religous union between a man and a woman bonding them in before God and state. God in the old testament killed of the residents of S & G for practicing the sexual practices of homosexuality. That leads me to believe that he doesn't condone the behavior.
They deserve the same legal rights as the rest of us, sexual preference doesn't make a difference in human rights. Religous rights are between them and God. We will be judged ourselves for our treatment of our neighbors.