Gordon Smith, please dial 503-986-1200
In his 2002 re-election campaign, Gordon Smith was endorsed by a number of gay rights leaders. Later, he pledged to support civil unions at the state level.
Sen. Gordon Smith, a Republican, has supported legislation to protect gays from hate crimes. He said he would back a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman if it clearly gave states the right to create civil unions, which give gays some of the legal benefits of marriage. –Statesman-Journal, 3/15/04
So, here's the question: Gordon Smith, will you call Speaker Karen Minnis and demand an up-or-down vote on civil unions? Will you put your principles ahead of politics?
From the Democratic Party of Oregon:
“Gordon Smith should spend five minutes of his day to pick up the phone or declare publicly that Karen Minnis needs to grant an up-or-down vote on the most important legislation for gays and lesbians in the history of Oregon,” said Jim Edmunson, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “This is a test of Gordon Smith’s true leadership on these issues.”
Discuss.
As for the rest of you, feel free to call 503-326-3386 yourself and ask Gordon Smith to call Karen Minnis.
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Aug. 03, 2005
Posted in open discussion. |
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Aug 3, '05
This is very much about principle over politics. I encourage folks to <u>read Jim's letter</u> to Senator Smith and consider the gravity of this situation, as it relates to Gordon Smith's public service.
This is a man spent who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on television successfully marketing himself as "compassionate" due to his support for gay rights.
This is a man who is - far and away - the most influential Republican in this state.
He is on Congressional recess and is here in Oregon -- right this second. And he's an Oregon citizen with a hefty stake in the laws of this state.
If Gordon Smith can't stand up at this critically-important moment in Oregon's history -- and publicly say he supports equality under the law for gays and lesbians -- when can he? We can't wait until his next re-election campaign in 2008.
For Oregonians that truly support gay rights, the time to stand up and be counted is now.
Aug 3, '05
As Margaret Carter would say "Aye Aye Aye!"
Aug 25, '05
I Agree,Kelly and Bryan!! Senator Smith did run on the belief that he was Compassionate towards Gays and Lesbians- the time for him to prove it is now!!!! It is a shame that though Measure 36 did not exclude "Civil Unions", The GOP in the Oregon Legislature, led by Karen Minnis will not allow a Vote on the subject. NO One is truly free while any group of our Society is discriminated against!!! I hear the Cry, "We MUST protect the Sanctity of Marriage!!"---I Have a Wonderful IDEA- How about we tighten up the Laws concerning Divorce??? I've never been hit upon by any of my openly gay friends, and I feel they have the right to the legal protections and rights anyone receives in a relationship. I fail to see where giving Gays the same Rights and protections would weaken Traditional Marriage!!!