Oregonians Rally
to Keep Domestic-Partnership Law

More than 2.000 Oregonians rallied in support of the state's embattled domestic-partnership law, which has been stalled in federal court. Organized by Basic Rights Oregon, the Portland rally Wednesday night drew attention to the need for domestic partnerships, according to a press release from BRO.

The court will hear arguments in a lawsuit filed to overturn the domestic-partnership law that was approved by the state legislature in May 2007. Efforts by antigay groups like the Alliance Defense Fund have stalled the bill, which was intended to go into effect January 1.

"For too many years, committed couples in Oregon have been left standing in the rain," Basic Rights Oregon executive director Jeana Frazzini told the crowd, according to the release. "For too long we have stood outside looking in, denied the basic rights that allow us to protect the ones we love. Oregon's domestic-partnership law offers shelter from the storm for hundreds of Oregon families. That's what's at stake with this court case, and that's why we are here tonight." (The Advocate)