Oregon house
panel holds first hearing on two gay rights bills

Activists from both sides of the gay rights debate gathered in Salem, Ore., Monday evening to give lawmakers their opinions on two bills that would extend rights for LGBT people. The first bill would allow same-sex civil unions, and the second would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, reports the Associated Press. Both LGBT people and antigay religious conservatives testified as the house rules committee opened a hearing on the civil unions bill, which would extend to same-sex couples most of the state's marriage benefits. Additionally, the committee listened to opinions on a senate-passed bill that would ban discrimination against LGBT people in housing and employment. AP reported that more time was given to discussion of the antidiscrimination bill because of the questions raised regarding exemptions for religious institutions. Although the bill states that religious groups can discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in hiring or housing, the Oregon Family Council and other critics said the bill fails to offer sufficient exemption to faiths that oppose homosexuality on religious grounds. "To provide rights to some does not mean you have to trample the rights of others. I hope you understand that the wording in this bill severely limits the religious rights of Oregonians," the Reverend Raymond Young told AP. However, backers of the bill said it offers enough protection to religious institutions and that changing the antidiscrimination bill would undermine its purpose of protecting LGBT people from discrimination. (The Advocate)