Two fairness bills passed
Two bills “ensuring that all Oregon families are treated with basic fairness and that all Oregonians can live and work free from the sting of discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation or gender” were signed into law Wednesday, May 9 by Gov. Kulongoski.
House Bill 2007, the Oregon Family Fairness Act, creates legal recognition for same-sex couples and their families through Domestic Partnerships. These provide some, but not all, of the protections, rights, and responsibilities afforded to heterosexual couples through marriage contracts.
It is different from marriage in several ways, including the lack of portability to other states and lack of more than 1,100 federal rights like Social Security survivor benefits, supporters said.
Senate Bill 2 outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation in areas such as employment, housing, public accommodation, public education and public services. Religious employers, organizations and institutions are exempt.
