Let's Hear It For Oregon!

Oregon's Senate passed a bill today that would make same-sex couples "substantially equivalent" rights under state law as married couples. The new law would create civil unions and also outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill now awaits action in the House. Last year, Oregon voters approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The new law creating civil unions is at least a start toward full and equal rights to gay couples.