March 02, 2004
The Politics Of Local Same-Sex Marriage
County Commissioner Opposes, City Commissioner Supports Multnomah Move
We got to the first part of this as an update to our initial item on this subject, but we'll open a new item for the political end of this.
According to KPTV's newscast this evening, Commissioner Lonnie Roberts is questioning the way in which this policy decision apparently was made. And there does seem to be some confusion on that count.
While early reports have been saying that Board of Commissioners made a decision here, it seems, to us anyway, more likely that the County Attorney issued a legal opinion on the matter, and those Commissioners available to comment or respond indicated that they support what the Attorney said.
Roberts, who opposes same-sex marriage, is calling the process "clandestine." But since this first surfaced via OPB News several days ago, it's certainly not been secret. And if my hunch is correct, this wasn't something that the Board of Commissioners needed to officially weigh in on, but was strictly in the purview of the County Attorney.
On the City side, meanwhile, as mentioned in the first item, Mayor Katz intends tohave a statement tomorrow, but in the comments to our previous item, Commissioner Randy Leonard already has weighed in:
Were I a member of the Multnomah County Commission, I would support a resolution that would define marriage as including those of the same sex.
I am deeply disappointed at those who have targeted the gay community as a vulnerable minority that they can exploit for their political gain. I hope the majority of Americans see through this veiled political opportunism.
All those in leadership positions need to throw aside political comfort and stand up and speak out against the hate and discrimination that is being promoted by the sirens of fear.
Further meanwhile, readers might remember that in a recent Portland Tribune story, City Council candidate Sam Adams told a group of junior and senior High School students that he and his partner would not be going to San Francisco to get married, but would wait until they could do so here in Oregon. No word this evening if they are going to take advantage of the County's decision.
Update
Turning this into an item about more than just politics, we notice in KGW's current story that the Christian Coalition of Oregon has weighed in as well:
The Christian Coalition of Oregon is planning to consult its lawyers and may file suit seeking an injunction to stop Multnomah County from performing same-sex marriages, said executive director John Belgarde to kgw.com.
The county�s decision cheapens the institution of marriage defined by God as a union between a man and woman, Belgarde said. Belgarde made it clear he doesn't dislike gays but said the definition of marriage is unquestionable.
We have no idea at this particular moment if this John Belgarde is the same John Belgarde who violated various processes as treasurer of last year's aborted right-wing recall attempt against Vera Katz.
Update
KPTV now reports that the "decision" was made by County Chair Dianne Linn, and says that Commissioner Serena Cruz told the Associated Press that there didn't need to be a vote because a majority of the Board of Commissioners supported the move.
Now, we're not certain that if a majority of the Board supports an actual legislative decision no vote needs to occur. In fact, we're fairly certain that would not be the case. But it remains our contention that this is not a legislative decision, but merely the County Chair acting within an authority to request a legal opinion from the County Attorney as to what state law already permits. This is not a matter of the County making a decision to redefine marriage, for example. Instead, it's the head of County government requesting a legal clarification from the County lawyer as to whether or not the County could issue same-sex marriage licenses under existing state law.
So we reiterate that despite Commissioner Roberts' protestations about being left out, we don't believe there was anything -- in an official capacity -- for him to be left out of.
Update
Well, it seems we very well may have missed yet another Mayoral candidates debate, judging at least by the fact that KGW just aired comments in the County's move from some of them, clearly from some sort of debate. Apparently, we are still not on any of the proper lists or in the proper flows of information. You'd think the campaigns would let people know about these things.
Anyway, all I caught was Tom Potter saying he was proud of what the County had done, and Jim Francesconi doing the presidential candidate thing and refusing to back same-sex marriage, saying that all that was needed was "equal protection" and "civil unions."