Looks like Worldwide Pablo was the first to break the big news that Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Frank Bearden has ordered the county to stop issuing same-sex marraige licenses.
Statesmen Journal story
KGW story
I am of course disapointed by the judges ruling, but not totally suprised. The next step is either the state appelete court or the state supreme court, so this isn't over by far.
There are two particularly interesting parts of the judges ruling (from what I have read at KGW and the Statesman). First is the requirement that the legislature create a Vermont like civil-union law within 90 days from the begining of there next regular or special legislative session. If they don't then Multnomah County would start issuing same-sex marraige licenses again. Second is the fact that the State is required to recognize the 3000+ gay marraiges that have already been performed.
What most bothers me about both stories is the reference to the group Love Makes a Family as a "pro-gay marriage group" when the rest of the article call the issue at hand "same-sex marriage". It is of course possible that this how the group describes itself.
Update: Here is Judge Bearden's decision [PDF]
Posted by Noah Brimhall at April 20, 2004 01:20 PMThank God somebody put a stop to it!
Posted by: tammy at April 20, 2004 04:21 PMTammy,
Of course, as I mentioned, this is far from the end of the issue. This is going to a higher court and likely to the legislature.
I curious how same-sex marraige harms you? You also still haven't answered my question from March 2nd, why does the idea of two happy commited people getting married scare you so much?
Noah
Posted by: Noah Brimhall at April 20, 2004 04:46 PM