LET THEM VOTE.....SB 1000
Jane Ames
“Hello, I am Sam Adams and I want to thank you for coming from all over Oregon to tell Speaker Minnis to let them go, let them speak, let them vote.” Sam scratches changes in the speech and tries another version. The phone rings and he answers as I stay focused on driving. “We are almost to the Salem Parkway, we’ll be there soon”, he assures a clearly concerned voice on the other end of the connection. “But there is traffic, if you have to start without me, don’t worry, go ahead. Don’t wait for me.”
I look at the road sign…and glance at Sam. The sign sure looks like it says “Woodburn Exit” to me. Well, that’s kind of, almost to the Salem Parkway. Then I stare at my gas gage which has been heading toward empty at a faster pace than traffic is letting us get to Salem. I had been sure we would make it; now I am almost as sure we won’t. It is obvious we are late, even if we are at “Salem Parkway”. After five quick dollars of gas, and three more phone calls, (in one of them he can “see the Capitol”…the guy has x-ray vision I guess, but we actually are in downtown Salem by then), I drop Sam off in front of the Capitol ready to speak to a lively group of between 500-800 people. Everyone is gathering on the Capitol steps to demand that SB 1000 get an opportunity to extend equality, justice, and the pursuit of happiness to those couples for whom marriage is not legally an option.
Governor Kulongoski starts to speak as I arrive from parking the car. He is adamant, passionate, and determined that the ability to form civil unions for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens is an absolute right. He says when he looks out on the crowd, he sees “himself”, a citizen of Oregon who should be granted the same rights and dignity as every other citizen. He is so right, and his determination feels genuine.
Thank you Governor; please use your determination and your office to persuade Speaker Minnis to allow members of the Oregon House to vote on SB 1000.
If the Representatives do not think same-sex couples should have the right to form civil unions, let them say so and vote accordingly…on the record. If they support civil unions for same-sex couples, again let them say so and vote accordingly, on the record. We are not asking Speaker Minnis to vote for SB 1000, just respect democracy. Respect our Constitution and legal processes enough not to confuse domination with leadership.
As Sam begins to speak, I start in my “staffer” duties and begin to take pictures. Sam is relaxed and energized speaking to this crowd. “We deserve the right to..." “ Frankly, when I am busy working, it is hard for me to hear what he says in a way I can remember. But I know what he is saying: We are all Oregonians, and we all deserve equal rights. It is not good leadership to use your elected office to refuse basic rights to a set of citizens. Sam speaks eloquently and from his heart, and people can tell he is genuine. He may jive a little when it comes to where we are on the freeway, but he embraces the truth when he talks about the path he is on. He is a good man, and as I deserve the rights that come with my marriage, Sam deserves those same rights when he chooses a life partner. We all deserve those rights. We are not all created the same, but we are all created equal.
Posted by Jane Ames on July 21, 2005
(6) Comments | Permalink | TrackBack (1)
Filed Under Equality, Events, Good Government, Speeches & Testimony
Comments by site visitors
Thanks, Jeff.
But I was very frustrated to discover that before I even had gotten my blog up, Speaker Minnis had "gut and stuffed" SB 1000. She used her power to alter the bill so it removes civil unions and no longer would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Then she placed the bill in a legislative "lock box" by sending it to the Budget Committee.
At least Minnis is galvinizing the resolve of people who believe in equality with those who believe legislative power should not be abused.
I understand it is easier to stop something than it is to make something happen. But I encourage those who believe in equal rights to use their offices to make good things happen.
One doesn't need to be a big gay rights advocate to support this effort; you just need to take the basic rights guaranteed in our U.S. Constitution seriously. This is a very patriotic stance.
Posted by: Jane Ames | Jul 22, 2005 12:31:23 PM
I could not have said it better: We are not all created the same, but we are all created equal. Thank yuo for updating us on the failures of the state house. Perhaps there will be some organized demonstrations in Salem. If so, will you keep us informed?
Posted by: Clark Hildum | Jul 22, 2005 1:04:32 PM
Thank you Jane and Sam for the support!
I am personally disgusted at the actions of Speaker Minnis but after a few years, that really is nothing new. It's just too bad she would stoop this low when so many Oregonian's hopes and dreams are tied to such an important piece of legislation. Shame on her!
I wish I could have heard your speech Sam, is there transcripts of it anywhere?
Posted by: MarkDaMan | Jul 22, 2005 3:26:28 PM
Sam, we are so fortunate to have such a faithful ally as you. It is quite clear what the "right thing" to do was.....and it's also quite clear that Ms. Minnis and her personal religious beliefs have overshadowed her choices. Is it just me, or did I hear something in my past that refers to "liberty and justice for all"?????????
Posted by: Arnie | Jul 22, 2005 11:10:02 PM
Please stop being upset. There's one thing all of us can do. We can make sure Karen Minnis knows who the boss is.....WE, THE PEOPLE!!!
Please focus your energy to make sure she won't get re-elected. That'd be an improvement.
Posted by: zenhaku | Aug 10, 2005 2:49:00 PM
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Bravo, Jane. Well said.
Posted by: Jeff | Jul 22, 2005 11:06:09 AM