(Salem, Oregon) The Oregon Senate is expected to vote this week on a bill to allow civil unions for gay and lesbian couples and to ban discrimination against gays in jobs, housing and public accommodations.
The legislation was approved last week by the Senate Rules Committee, the last major hurdle before going to the full Senate for a vote.
The bill could create a civil unions registry and grant same-sex couples many of the rights available to married couples including inheritance benefits, pensions, property rights when a partner dies, and the right to make medical decisions for a partner.
The bill also adds sexual orientation to a law that forbids discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, religion and several other factors.
It has the support of Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The measure is expected to pass the Democratically controlled Senate but is expected to receive tough opposition in the House which is controlled by Republicans.
Opponents of the legislation contend contradicts the will of Oregon voters, who passed a state constitutional amendment in November that prohibits gay marriage.
"We think the bill could affect every marriage statute," said Tootie Smith of the Oregon Family Coalition, which opposes the bill.
She said consequences could include forcing employers to provide health coverage and other costly benefits to same-sex partners of employees.
But Rebekah Kassell of Basic Rights Oregon, the state's major gay rights lobby, said nothing in the measure requires employers to provide such benefits.
Massachusetts allows gay marriage, while Vermont grants civil union rights and Connecticut will begin offering civil unions in October.
Domestic partners in California have all rights and responsibilities of marriage conferred by the state except the ability to file joint income taxes.
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