Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Oregon judge upholds rights for gay couples

A state judge in Oregon yesterday ordered the Legislature to establish civil unions for same-sex couples or open marriage to them.

In an opinion that probably will send the issue on to the Oregon Supreme Court, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Frank L. Bearden in Portland ruled that same-sex couples in the state have a right to the same benefits as married couples. He told the Legislature to decide within the first 90 days of its next session, which could begin in June, to find a way to accomplish that equality.

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