March 03, 2004

(Updated) Multnomah County Begins Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

Wedding Ceremonies Begin Almost Immediately

Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.

This morning in chambers, members of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners and the County Attorney officially announced the County's intention to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples beginning today. That process has been underway since 10:00 AM.

As multiple dozens of couples waited outside in the rain, and volunteers for Basic Rights Oregon prepared to assist in the licensing process, County Chair Diane Linn spoke inside.

As you may know, the County Attorney recently provided her legal opinion stating that it is a violation of the Oregon Constitution to discriminate against individuals who apply for marriage licenses on the basis of their gender or sexual orientation.
What this means is that this county will comply with the constitution and will issue marriage licenses to same sex couples who request them. I took an oath of office to uphold the constitution of the state of Oregon. I intend to do just that.

Other members of the Board followed Linn's statement.

"I personally am commtted to equal rights and equal protection for every person in this county and in this state," said Commissioner Lisa Naito. "It is my duty to support and fully embrace the fundamental tenets upon which our great nation is founded -- that all people should be treated equally under the law."

Naito also pointed out that until 1951, inter-racial marriages were banned in Oregon, and that it was not until 1967 that the Supreme Court struck down all bans on such marriages.

Also citing the oath she swore, Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey said not to support the County's determination would violate that oath. "My sense of justice and my Christian faith," she added, "offer me no other course."

Commissioner Serena Curz reiterated Naito's remarks about inter-racial marriage (banned the year Cruz was born). "Now it is our responsibility," Cruz said, "to legally recognize all of the families here in our community."

Copies of the County Attorney's opinion were release, and we'll have more about that later today. For now, suffice it to say that in addition to arguing that the state's definition of marriage can be read to include same-sex marriages, and opinion also relies on the Oregon Constitution and its prohibition against granting any privileges to any class of citizens without also equally granting them to other classes of citizens. It argues, in essence, that whatever one's reading of the statutory definition of marriage, the Constitution requires that if heterosexuals are granted marriage rights, homosexuals must be granted them as well.

Basic Rights Oregon and the ACLU of Oregon arranged for the first sex of marriages after licenses were issued. We missed those because we had to book to City Hall to cover other matters. There's coverage elsewhere of these first two weddings, and we'll link to those in updates to this item.

In a bit, we'll have a report from the other marriages arranged for today, taking place this afternoon at Keller Auditorium.

March 03, 2004

Update

Upon arriving at City Hall, I went in search of the expected statement from Mayor Vera Katz. Scott Farris, the Mayor's chief of staff, said that they were waiting until 10:00 AM, when the "happy couples" would begin receiving their licenses. Sure enough, after 10:00 AM, the Mayor's statement was available (click through for the full statement):

It is a covenant of love, the promise of two people who pledge to remain faithful to each other for a lifetime.
Marriage is the place where we create a home for children - and gay men and lesbian women have children and throughout history have had children. Those children have the right to be raised within the loving confines of a marriage, not within an ambiguously named civil union.
In a world where we worry that promiscuity is rampant, why would we not embrace those who are pledging fidelity?
In a world racked with instability, why would we not embrace those who seek permanence?
In a world where we worry about a lack of commitment, why would we not embrace those building a lifetime of devotion?

This afternoon, the Mayoral campaign of Jim Francesconi also released a statement, which continues to try for an indeterminate middle course. "My view is that government can�t tell churches or citizens whether gay marriage is right or wrong," the statement said. "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.�"

March 03, 2004

Update

During the County's news conference, it was reiterated that this was not a legislative act, and so no meeting of the Board of Commissioners was required -- an argument we have been making incessantly since yesterday, before the County had a chance to publicly weigh in on the move. It also was argued that a very public debate and discussion would be underway starting today. On a personal note, we should mention that just being in the same room as Lars Larson gives us a sensation not dissimilar to that old story about people having seizures when listening to the voice of Mary Hart on Entertainment Tonight.

Posted at 03:39 PM | PermalinkComments (1) | TrackBacks (3)
More In Law Enforcement & Legal Issues, Livability, Metro-Area Politics, Same-Sex Marriage

« Previous Next »

Comments (1)

  1. Scott on 03 Mar 2004

    Here is the County Attorney's written opinion.

    Via KGW.

Trackbacks (3)

  1. Reactions from local bloggers to today's news on 03 Mar 2004

    Since I've friends from other states keeping up with our local happenings, I thought I'd provide references to commentary and insights provided elsewhere by local Oregon bloggers: worldwide pablo questions the clandestine-ness and obvious political mac...

  2. Marriage is only as sacred as wearing polyester on 05 Mar 2004

    12 Reasons Why Gay Marriage Is Wrong, Like Eating Lobster or Shaving Your Beard With a Razor Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control. Heterosexual marriages are valid becasue they produce children. Infertile cou...

  3. Marriage is only as sacred as wearing polyester on 05 Mar 2004

    Wes attacks opponents of gay marriage as being on the wrong side of history, and exhibits a sense of humor, too. Yes, really. No, it's not that funny.