Bend's new law banning gay discrimination meets opposition
Associated Press


BEND, Ore. -- Opponents of a new law banning discrimination against gays and lesbians in the workplace, housing and public places are seeking to have the ordinance overturned.

Bend residents Bill Brackett and Dave Eaton filed Tuesday to begin circulating a petition to refer the law to voters in November, the Bend Bulletin newspaper reported.

The repeal effort comes a week after the Bend City Council unanimously passed the anti-discimination ordinance, making it the first the first Oregon city east of the Cascades to adopt such a measure.

To refer the issue to voters, Brackett and Eaton must collect 3,352 valid signatures by July 16, or, 10 percent of the electorate. A majority of voters would need to vote to repeal the law in November.