|
For Immediate Release
Contact: Molly Woon
(503) 367-4327
press [at] dpo [dot] org
|
|
June 12, 2018
Oregon Democrats vote unanimously to support LGBTQ+ community against faith-based discrimination
PORTLAND — In the wake of the disappointing U.S. Supreme Court decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Oregon unanimously passed a resolution this past weekend regarding Faith-based Discrimination Against the LGBTQ+ Community.
“In light of last week’s disappointing Supreme Court decision, the need to remind people that Democrats are on the side of equality and nondiscrimination is more important than ever,” said Michelle Risher, chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon’s Stonewall Caucus. “While conservatives continue to try to use ‘religious freedom’ as a wedge issue, Oregon Democrats know that equal protection under the law is not incompatible with the First Amendment.”
The full text of the resolution is copied below.
“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 Kate Brown who have a long record of standing up for our rights.”
Today also marks the second anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, in which 49 people were murdered. Pulse nightclub survivor Brandon Wolf joined Oregon Democrats as a special guest at the annual Wayne Morse Gala this past April, where he received a standing ovation for his work to found The Dru Project, which supports high school gay straight alliances and offers college scholarships to LGBTQ+ student leaders.
Resolution 2018-003: Regarding Faith-based Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Community Approved: 06/10/2018
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
WHEREAS, the history of our nation includes the weaponization of religion to discriminate, persecute, prosecute, deport, deny entrance, enslave others, or wreak physical violence and death; and,
WHEREAS, freedom of religion is being misused to license discrimination, persecution, and prosecution against members of the LGBTQ+ community in the form of proposed legislation such as bathroom bills, First Amendment Defense Acts, or Religious Freedom Restoration Acts; and,
WHEREAS, lobbying by evangelical political organizations (e.g., The Heritage Foundation) and Donald Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board have led to a ban of transgender persons from military service; and,
WHEREAS, freedom of religion is used by religious organizations, businesses, corporations, governors, and members of national and state legislatures to deny women access to contraception, family planning, and the right to choose, along with denying
transgender persons access to the healthcare, counseling, and hormonal services provided by women’s healthcare organizations (i.e. Planned Parenthood); and,
WHEREAS, freedom of religion includes freedom from religion and one person’s freedom of religion ends where that of another begins.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES
Section 1: No person, church, religion, political organization, business, or corporate entity has a Constitutional or “God-given” right to abrogate the rights of others, or to impress their religious beliefs upon any other person.
Section 2: The right of all persons to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness can neither be denied nor legislated away.
Section 3: Legislation shall be enacted to protect and preserve the rights of all inhabitants and visitors to our state and nation from religiously based discrimination, regardless of race, creed, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or binary and non-binary genders.
|
Press Releases
Oregon Democrats vote unanimously to support LGBTQ+ community against faith-based discrimination
Jun 12, 2018
By providing your cell phone number you agree to receive periodic cell phone calls and text messages from the Democratic Party of Oregon.