(Updated) Mayoral And Council Candidates On Same-Sex Marriage
Those Reactions We've Seen, Anyway
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
Earlier, we mentioned the official response from Jim Francesconi, but this time here it is in its entirety:
People have strong personal and religious views on marriage, and good people are on both sides of this debate.� My view is that government can�t tell churches or citizens whether gay marriage is right or wrong.� Those are personal and religious values.�� But government also cannot discriminate -- all citizens should have the same legal protections and benefits under the law, call it �civil union� or call it �marriage.�
Meanwhile, the Tom Potter campaign has posted the text of a Q&A their candidate did with Willamette Week. While the following pull quote isn't spefically about Multnomah County's decision, it's relevant:
I do not support cities or states having the power to discriminate against its citizens. I do favor cities and states eliminating civil rights barriers for any group of citizens, including our GLBTQ citizens.
In a press release, Phil Busse responded in part:
"It is a momentous step in the right direction," said Candidate Phil Busse. �To be kept from seeing your spouse in the emergency room, to be denied thousands of state, federal and employee rights, to have your love and commitment to family questioned -- is not the kind of future I see for Portland or this country."
Via email this evening, he added: "Three cheers for Diane Linn -- for not dragging her heels; for crossing her legal 't's and crossing her legal 'i's; and for forcing the rest of the state to consider its constitutional policies."
And a release from Jason Newell, City Council candidate, said:
We have reason to be disgusted, and outraged with our County and our City officials.� Today, Multnomah County began handing out marriage licenses to same-sex couples.� Multnomah County made this decision in violation of Oregon State law.� Four of the five commissioners have publicly stated that they have the right to interpret law and make changes!� All of this discussion was done behind closed doors.� This is not the first instance of backroom deals and political maneuvering.
And one local news program or another, Council candidate Woody Broadnax echoed the above concerns about process.
For the record, Francesconi's statement is better than what was reported out of last night's debate, but still not entirely clear -- perhaps we will get a better sense as time passes. Potter is right. Busse is right. And Newell adds his name to the list of people who don't udnerstand the distinction between legislative action and administrative determinations, which should make people question whether or not he's suited to be on City Council.
Update
Some more reactions. Council candidate Alicia Salaz: "I believe that the legal opinion the county received in regards to this issue
was sound and that the county is doing the right thing."
The Nick Fish campaign emailed us back saying there was no statement and just to go read The Oregonian, as if they couldn't just provide us with something directly. So much for being considered media as far as the Fish people are concerned. That said, here's what Fish said to the newspaper: "There is no difference between me and my opponent on this issue. ... This is a civil rights issue, an issue of fairness."
Update
And still more reactions. "I do not believe we need to redefine the word marriage it has always meant the union between a 1 man and 1 woman," says Mayoral candidate Scott Ketchum. "But on the same account I do believe strongly that there needs to be the ability for two members of the same sex to have the right to a civil union."
"We don't have to travel cross-country to fight to save heterosexual marriages," says Council candidate Jerry Watson. "The national battle has come to our own backyard right here in Portland, Oregon." Watson goes on to say this:
As we now know from the historical experience of some Portland churches, placing homosexuals in positions of community leadership has led to millions of dollars in legal settlements. Also, the lives of many young people have been ruined.
We don't think we'll be seeing Watson on the Council any time soon.
Update
Newly-filed Mayoral candidate Brad Taylor has now weighed in as well. "Although the mayor of Portland does not possess the legal authority to [lift bans on same-sex marriage], I would do everything I could to insure equality regarding marriage," Taylor said. "I am happy that Portland has added to the international discussion by drawing attention to the inequality of the marriage ban, and I congratulate all of the couples who formalized their love and relationships yesterday and today."
March 04, 2004 at 09:23 AM
While I agree and applaud the actions of the County Commissioners, I wonder how we all would feel about the process if we were opposed to their actions?
April 01, 2004 at 03:44 PM
I feel Mr. Watson is
un-educated in knowing the difference between a homosexual and a pedophile. The Christians are afraid to "own" the doings in their own back yard and trying to blur the lines.
Lumping Homosexuals into the likes of pedophiles and such is a cop out.
April 01, 2004 at 03:45 PM
I feel Mr. Watson is
un-educated in knowing the difference between a homosexual and a pedophile. The Christians are afraid to "own" the doings in their own back yard and trying to blur the lines. Lumping Homosexuals into the likes of pedophiles and such is a cop out.
April 01, 2004 at 03:49 PM
See this item for an update on Watson's position.