Sponsored by: Carla Hanson, LGBT Caucus Approved: 06/28/2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
Whereas, The Democratic Party of Oregon has a long tradition of supporting LGBT justice.
Whereas, the Democratic Party of Oregon’s Legislative Agenda has repeatedly included Marriage Equality as a priority item.
Whereas, Democratic activists and elected officials have worked relentlessly to reverse the trends of marriage equality bans and anti-LGBT legislative efforts that began in the late 1980s.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Democratic Party of Oregon lauds the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Obergefell v. Hodges, June 26, 2015 which establishes full Marriage Equality for same gender couples.
Be it further resolved that the Democratic Party of Oregon commends the millions of activists throughout the nation whose small steps over a generation have led to this remarkable equality victory for 10s of millions of lesbians and gays.
And be it further resolved that the Democratic Party of Oregon regards the words of Justice Anthony Kennedy as historically significant as they are as profound and moving:
“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
Resolution Submitted by KC Hanson, Multnomah County, DPO LGBT Caucus Chair, on behalf of the LGBT Caucus, June 27, 2015
