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Originally Posted by mackysmama  My family is considering a move to your fine state, from the not-so-fine state of Texas (but a yankee at heart.). We are lesbian with two children. I am trying to follow this from afar but am having a hard time figuring out if you do or do not or will or will not have civil unions? I thought it passed but now it's on hold but I'm not sure what they are holding it for or for how long? So, can someone give me the run-down on this? And, can someone make a prediction for me based on your state's politics?
Also, if we were to move to Eugene, Corvallis, or Salem how likely is it that my children would know other children with gay/lesbian parents who are also AP and gentle in their parenting? Any chance of getting lesbian parents, AP parenting AND unschooling? Watcha think?
Thank you from a potential neighbor!
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Hi!
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I filed a statement with Basic Rights Oregon, Oregon's statewide mainstream LGBTQ political group, to try and help prevent the enjoining of the bill. Obviously it didn't work. What I understand is that an anti-civil unions group is suing the Oregon Secretary of State for essentially disenfranchising them. We have a nifty direct initiative system whereby if a group/person proposes a law or change to our state constitution they can have the law or change put to a statewide vote if they collect enough signatures. The Sect. of St. verifies, through random sampling, that the signatures gathered are valid. The anti-civil unions folks tried to put the civil unions bill to a state wide vote after the legislature passed it. They failed to collect enough valid signatures. Now they want the Sect of St to honor some of the signatures that were invalidated, claiming they were valid "versions" of the person's signature. This has never been done before. So, they are asking for special treatment! It's a last ditch effort, and most likely it will just end up delaying implementation of the bill, but it's still a pain in the ass.
I think it will hold up in court, but I don't think the "challenges" are over. I believe that the antis will come up with another ballot initiative to try and "ban" civil unions (like the DOMA, measure 36, they passed last time)
All in all, if you live in an "urban" area, Oregon is a queer friendly state. Portland is full of queer parents, and I know some homeschooling lesbian mamas who were pretty AP with their daughters. I know that you are bound to find lesbian moms in the places you listed- but the number and variety will be less than in Portland. Eugene is super crunchy. Salem, not so much.
We now have a statewide anti-discrimination bill in hiring/firing and such. Multnomah County, where Portland is located, has a domestic partnership registry, and Linn/Benton county (Eugene) may as well.
Good luck in your decision!
