Oregon County stops licencing marriage licences to gays. . . and straights

[Brian_Expat]

Now the right wing have REALLY blown it. A county in Oregon who they are suing for issuing gay marriage licences has declared that, since issuing marriage licences in a discriminatory fashion violates the law, they will cease issuing licences until the Supreme Court of Oregon rules on the constitutionality of the DOMA law.

http://www2.kval.com/x30530.xml?ParentPageID=x2649&ContentID=x44546&Layout=kval.xsl&AdGroupID=x30530

No one can get a marriage license in Benton County now... gay or straight.

That decision comes from county commissioners who late Monday overturned an earlier decision allowing marriage licenses to be issued to gay or lesbian couples. The unanimous vote was in response to a request by state attorney general Hardy Myers request to temporarily postpone issuing the licenses for same-sex couples.

"As public officials we take an oath to uphold the constitution," said Benton County Commission Chair Linda Modrell, "Last week, after reviewing the many legal opinions, including the Oregon Attorney General's, that the state law prohibiting same-sex marriage probably violates the Oregon Constitution's anti-discrimination proceedings, we were compelled to address the requirements of the Constitution and allow same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. Since last week's Benton County decision, there have been significant movements and agreements to accelerate consideration of this issue to the State Courts and this is where the ultimate resolution must take place. So we are respecting the Attorney General's request that we temporarily postpone issuing same-sex marriage licenses. Also, to maintain consistency with our oath to uphold Oregon's Constitution's anti-discrimination provisions, we must temporarily cease issuing marriage licenses to any couple, regardless of gender until there is a State determination. We ask for the public's patience with this temporary inconvenience. It is in everyone's best interests to standby and recognize that all citizens receive equal treatment from their government."

[kayell]

1. Wow, that should make it clear how it feels!

What a remarkably courageous act by the Benton County commisioners!

[DrWeird]

2. Maybe now my fiance will quite bugging me.

We live in Benton County.

:evilgrin:

[gWbush is Mabus]

3. this is great!

the more the country comes around on this issue,
the more the GOP will end up standing there looking like bigots.

[Catfight]

4. They are bigots

They don't meerly look like bigots, they ARE bigots.

[handywork]

5. hahaha this is great

What balls I love it!!!!

[For PaisAn]

6. Perfect

This is the correct way to handle this. "To ensure that all citizens receive equal treatment from their government". All or none!