Proposed Oregon ballot initiative would protect those who object to same-sex marriage
February 03, 2014
Among the ballot initiatives that Oregon voters may decide by referendum in 2014 is the Protect Religious Freedom Initiative, which would prevent individuals and businesses from being “penalized by the state or a political subdivision of this state for declining to solemnize, celebrate, participate in, facilitate, or support any same-sex marriage ceremony or its arrangements, same-sex civil union ceremony or its arrangements, or same-sex domestic partnership ceremony or its arrangements.”
Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries recently ruled that Sweet Cakes by Melissa, a bakery near Portland, violated a non-discrimination law when its owner refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.
The Reuters news agency reported that voters will also “likely” decide whether to approve same-sex marriage. By a 57%-43% margin, Oregon voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2004 defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
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Further information:
- Gay-marriage debate takes new twist in Oregon: religious exemption (Reuters)
- Protect Religious Freedom Initiative (Oregon Family Council)
- Oregon: bakery owners violated civil rights in refusing to make wedding cake for lesbian couple (CWN, 1/22)
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Posted by: nix898049 -
Feb. 05, 2014 4:27 PM ET USA
And now we have to pass laws to protect rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution (Bill of Rights). Thank God for Holy Mother Church. The Republic is toast.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Feb. 03, 2014 7:52 PM ET USA
Why should anyone have to vote on first amendment protections?
