The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News

Rally attendees stand at the steps of the Capitol building in Salem on Wednesday to support the Oregon Families Act, which would legalize civil unions and provide other legal rights to gay and lesbian couples.

SALEM - "Basic… Rights!"

"It's time! It's time!"

"1-2-3-4, we won't take it anymore! 5-6-7-8, the state shouldn't discriminate!"

These were among the chants that roared through Salem Wednesday as a large group of people gathered on the steps of the Capitol building to rally for equal rights.

A group of 10 to 15 OSU students attended the rally, which was organized by Basics Rights Oregon along with other organizations such as Brother to Brother.

The rally featured speakers such as Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams and

House Speaker Jeff Merkley.

The rally was meant to show support for the Oregon Equality Act, SB 2, and the Family Fairness Act, HB 2007.

Director of ASOSU's queer affairs task force Angela Baxter said the Oregon Equality Act focuses on a non-discrimination policy toward the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered community.

Kulongoski said one of his highest priorities when he started campaigning for governor was to give people equality.

"When we allow discrimination, we ignore the talents of thousands of people," Kulongoski said.

The Family Fairness Act focuses on creating civil unions for same-sex couples. Kulongoski said it gives them legal recognition to participate in their partner's life, such as making medical decisions for their partner.

"It's a lobby day and rally to get the whole community together and to show the state representatives and legislators we need anti-discrimination and pro-equality now," Baxter said. "Also, we need civil unions to protect all of the Oregon citizens, to provide the same protection for families."

The queer affairs task force has been working for the last three weeks preparing for Wednesday's rally. They had postcards signed by students, staff and faculty to show support.

They also worked on getting people to come to the rally. They went to classrooms to advertise the event and have the postcards signed in addition to spreading the word with e-mail.

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