Defense of Marriage Coalition was founded by the Oregon Family Council in direct response to the illegal attack on marriage Oregonians were first subjected to in March 2004.
On March 2nd 2004 after two months of secret backroom meetings, four of the five Multnomah County Commissioners and Basic Rights Oregon, the states largest gay rights organization, announced same-sex marriage licenses were going to be issued starting the next morning. In total over 3,000 same-sex marriage licenses were issued.
In response, beginning May 21st and ending June 30th, the Defense of Marriage Coalition along with thousands of concerned Oregonians, gathered over 244,000 signatures to put Measure 36 on the Oregon ballot.
After nearly 4 months of campaigning and over $5 million spent by both sides, on November 2nd , 57% of Oregonians voted "YES" on 36.
The certification of Measure 36 took place December 2nd placing the following language permanently in the Oregon Constitution:
"It is the policy of Oregon and its political subdivisions that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or legally recognized as a marriage."
Finally on April 14th, 2005 the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that the original 3,000 same-sex marriage licenses were issued illegally, and that the Multnomah County Commissioners involved had no legal right to break the current Oregon marriage law.
Whether in the courtroom, the legislature or at the ballot box, Defense of Marriage Coalition & Oregon Family Council will continue to protect the definition of Marriage in Oregon's laws
With the help of concerned Oregonians and their many pro-family allies, Oregon Family Council & Defense of Marriage Coalition will succeed in promoting strong, healthy marriages in the hundreds of cities, towns and communities throughout Oregon.
|
 |
Court affirms will of Oregon voters: marriage amendment constitutional
Thursday, May 22, 2008, 10:25 AM (MST)
Judge upholds amendment passed by 57% of state´s voters in 2004
»Read More
Oregon Supreme Court nullifies gay marriages
Thursday, April 14, 2005
ASHBEL S. GREEN
The Oregon Supreme Court today dismissed a lawsuit seeking to obtain equal benefits for same-sex couples and voided marriage certificates obtained by 3,000 gay and lesbian couples in Multnomah County last year.
Gays take new tack for right to marry
A lawsuit argues one-sentence Measure 36 violates a rule against multiple changes to the Oregon Constitution
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
ASHBEL S. GREEN
Three months after losing the fight over same-sex marriage at the polls, gay-rights advocates went to court Monday with a legal strategy that has proven remarkably successful in recent years.
Measure 36 win returns marriage fight to courts
Thursday, November 04, 2004
BILL GRAVES
Passage of a measure to ban same-sex marriage in Oregon further clouds the status of 3,000 gay and lesbian marriages performed in Multnomah County last spring.
»Read More
|
