April 1, Oregon United for Marriage submitted an amicus brief in the Rummell v Kitzhaber marriage equality case, noting that if the judge ruled in a way that allowed for same-sex couples to marry by May 23, the campaign would not submit the 160,000 signatures gathered to put a marriage equality measure on the ballot.
Today is May 23—and following Judge Michael McShane’s ruling that extended the freedom to marry to all loving, committed couples in Oregon, a ballot campaign to address the same issue is no longer needed.
“We are confident that the freedom to marry is secure in Oregon and that we do not need to move forward with the ballot measure,” said Oregon United for Marriage deputy campaign manager Amy Ruiz. “It is time to celebrate this victory for Oregon.”
The partners who came together to form Oregon United for Marriage—Basic Rights Oregon, the ACLU of Oregon, SEIU Local 503, Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry, Gill Action Fund, the American Unity Fund—will turn their attention to the ongoing work for full LGBT equality in Oregon, as well as the national work to secure marriage in all 50 states.
“There are electoral priorities, a legislative session to prepare for and many opportunities to ensure both legal and lived equality for LGBT people,” said Jeana Frazzini, executive director for Basic Rights Oregon. “This campaign was started with the goal of securing the freedom to marry. Thanks to the work of thousands of Oregonians, we’ve built a movement unlike any other our state has seen before—and we’ve successfully made the case that Oregon is ready for marriage equality. We will remain vigilant in protecting the freedom to marry and remain united in the ongoing work for full equality for all Oregonians.”
