Gay discrimination law surfaces in Bend, in shadow of gay marriage debate
By SARAH LINN  / Associated Press
While a Multnomah County judge debates the legality of same-sex marriages, the Bend City Council is struggling with a broader issue: whether to outlaw discrimination against gays and lesbians in the workplace, housing, and public places.

Opponents, including the Bend Chamber of Commerce, say such an ordinance would grant sexual minorities special rights and expose local businesses to frivolous lawsuits. But supporters say it's a basic question of equality.
Several Oregon cities on the other side of the Cascades, including Portland, Salem, Eugene and Ashland already have anti-discrimination laws.

Bend's ordinance would make it illegal to deny housing, employment, or public accommodations to anyone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity — a provision is aimed at protecting transgender individuals. It goes before the council for a vote on Wednesday.


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Lawmakers to vote on Warner's amendments to bills
By Christina Bellantoni
RICHMOND — Lawmakers, now in their sixth week of a special session on the budget, will reconvene tomorrow to approve or reject Gov. Mark Warner's amendments to dozens of bills approved during the regular session.

    The measures most likely to spark debate relate to same-sex civil unions and fetal homicide. Mr. Warner has proposed amendments to those bills that have been criticized by the bills' sponsors and by conservative groups.

    In all, Mr. Warner signed 980 of the 1,035 bills that were passed by the General Assembly during its regular 60-day session. The Democratic governor vetoed two minor bills, one of them at the sponsor's request, and amended 53. Most of the amendments are considered likely to pass.

    The amended bills will go to their chamber of origin for approval. If they pass, they will become law on July 1 or earlier, in some cases.


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Foes of gay marriage try long shot
Bill seeks to remove four of SJC's justices
By Raphael Lewis, Globe Staff  
Twenty-eight days before the Supreme Judicial Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage goes into effect, diehard opponents will turn today to a radical, long-shot strategy: a bill to remove the four justices who penned the historic ruling.

The lone sponsor of the measure -- Representative Emile J. Goguen, Democrat of Fitchburg -- said he sees the "bill of address" as a tool to pressure members of the court to reconsider their landmark 4-3 decision or risk losing their judgeships.

"I'm going to be in tomorrow to file the bill," said Goguen, 70, who strongly opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions. "I'm going solo for now, but I will circulate it to all the legislators."

Goguen, who voted against a proposed constitutional amendment last month that would ban gay marriage but establish civil unions, said he agreed in the past week to sponsor the measure, after he was approached by members of the Article 8 Alliance, a new organization opposing same-sex marriage.