Oregon GOP Seeks To Gut Gay Unions Bill

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/04/042705oregon.htm

If the Oregon's Senate Democrats get their way, the state will follow Vermont's lead and enact civil unions, giving gay couples the rights and privileges of marriage without the title.

But if House Republicans prevail, Oregon will follow Hawaii's example and pass a "reciprocal benefits" law, offering a limited range of rights to couples who have lived together for a long time, gay or straight.

The dispute over which plan, if any, will pass this legislative session is the latest in the state's 13-months-and-counting battle over gay marriage -- which started when Multnomah County commissioners issued marriage licenses to about 3,000 gay couples over six weeks last year. (story)