Victory!

I want to begin this blog with a celebration of sorts.

I can remember in the early 1990s Oregon Ballot Measure 9. In this measure, some Oregonians sought to add the following provision to the Oregon Constitution:

"All governments in Oregon may not use their monies or properties to promote, encourage or facilitate homosexuality, pedophilia, sadism or masochism. All levels of government, including public education systems, must assist in setting a standard for Oregon's youth which recognizes that these behaviors are abnormal, wrong, unnatural and perverse and they are to be discouraged and avoided."

This ballot measure failed, but it left a lingering stink in Oregon.

In 2004, our county began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, this step didn't follow proper "procedures". These licenses were invalidated and and this process was discontinued.

In late 2004, Oregonians passed an amendment defining marriage as one man/one woman. Margin was 57/43. It was a dark day.

This stood for nearly 10 years.

Yesterday, a Federal judge overturned the 2004 ban, and same sex couples began marrying immediately. A stay was denied.

Today, we have marriage equality in Oregon, and I couldn't be prouder of my state. I have friends, peers, and other associates who are positively impacted by this ruling, and I'm thrilled they will now have the option of marrying their partners, if and when they wish.

Anyhow, it's not "gay marriage" or "same sex marriage".

It's just MARRIAGE.

Equality is not complete, but I will spend today basking in the joy of this huge step we've taken. There will be a new fight for tomorrow.