Oregon state
senate passes antidiscrimination bill

The Oregon state senate passed a bill that bans discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in employment, housing, and public accommodations. After a 19-7 vote in the senate, the Oregon Equality Act now goes to the desk of Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who is expected to sign the bill into law.

Sen. Brad Avakian, a Democrat from the Portland suburb Beaverton, said he was grateful to be a part of a "historic effort."

"Today, after 34 years, the Oregon senate put an end to a great injustice," Avakian said in a statement. "The Oregon Equality Act is good public policy that will protect all Oregonians from needless discrimination."

The state senate will schedule a hearing regarding the Oregon Family Fairness Act, granting domestic-partner rights and protections for same-sex couples. If the state passes the act, Oregon will join a handful of other states that allow domestic partnerships, cohabitation rights, civil unions, or marriage. The house passed the domestic-partnership bill and the antidiscrimination bill earlier this week. (The Advocate)