Who is on your side? Oregonians need to know if their governor will defend civil rights and equality

Who is on your side? Oregonians need to know if their governor will defend civil rights and equality 

PORTLAND — One week after a troubling U.S. Supreme Court decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Knute Buehler has still said nothing about the disappointing ruling. This most recent silence is yet another example of Buehler’s record of ducking when it’s time to stand up and fight for equal rights.

“As Oregonians gather to celebrate pride this month, we should recognize how far we’ve come, but also the work we have ahead of us to ensure that everyone is protected equally under the law,” said Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Jeanne Atkins. “This election, the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines. We need to get out and vote for leaders like Governor Brown who have a long record of standing up for our rights.”

Knute Buehler’s record of voting against civil rights and equality is long and varied. He voted against the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which requires insurance companies to provide preventative care regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. In 2017, he worked to remove protections for religion, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, and age from Oregon’s Pay Equity law.

Meanwhile, Oregonians have a lifelong champion for civil rights and equality in Governor Kate Brown. Governor Brown fought hard for and signed the Oregon Equity Act and Family Fairness Act to protect and strengthen LGBT rights while Buehler opposed both.

“Since announcing his run for governor, Knute Buehler has worked hard to reinvent himself,” said Atkins. “The fact is this charade is nothing but lip service. Buehler can’t back away from his record of voting against civil rights and equality, and we will be making sure that voters know he can’t be trusted.”