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Oregon Passes Two Gay Rights Bills

By , About.com Guide

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Ban on Discrimination for Gays and Lesbians Passes in Oregon

Oregon House of Representatives

Oregon House of Representatives

© Kathy Belge
After 34 years of trying, it looks like Oregonians will have some basic protections in employment, housing and public accommodations against anti-gay discrimination. The Oregon House of Representatives passed a bill with will ban discrimination in housing, the workplace and in public places like restaurants and theaters.

What Does it Do?

The bill will ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Oregonians who feel they have been discriminated against can file for civil action or punitive damages via the courts. This bill simply adds language to Oregon's already existing Civil Rights law to add sexual orientation as a protected class against discrimination. Oregon law already protects citizens on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age and disability.

What's next?

The Oregon Senate voted to pass the Anti-Discrimination Bill. Now all it needs is the governor's signature and Oregon Governor Kulongoski has pledged to sign it.
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