Basic Rights Oregon Launches Vote Equality Campaign

Basic Rights Oregon worked with elected officials in 2006 to pass Senate Bill 1000, which would have created civil unions for same-sex couples

(PORTLAND) - Basic Rights Oregon today announced the launch of its 2006 Vote Equality campaign, with the release of its first-ever online voter guide and the announcement of thirty-two endorsements in 2006 Oregon electoral races.

"Never has there been more at stake for the future of equality in Oregon than in this election year," said Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Roey Thorpe. "Through the power of our votes, those who care about fairness and equality under the law are poised to create lasting change in Oregon."

The Vote Equality campaign is a project of the Basic Rights Equality PAC, which seeks to elect candidates to office who support equality under the law for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Oregonians.

The goal of the campaign is to elect a pro-GLBT majority to the Oregon Legislature, in order to pass--after decades of trying--a historic civil rights bill in 2007.

Basic Rights Oregon worked with elected officials in 2006 to pass Senate Bill 1000, which would have created civil unions for same-sex couples and banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment, public accomodations, education and public services. That bill passed the Senate, but was blocked from receiving a debate or vote by House leadership.

To learn more about Vote Equality and to view the Basic Rights Equality PAC endorsements, visit www.voteequality.com