Appeals court rebuffs challenge of Oregon's domestic partnership law

The 9th Circuit Court rejects a suit challenging the state's law that gives benefits of marriage to gays and lesbians

Friday, August 15, 2008

ASHBEL S. GREEN and BILL GRAVES

The Oregonian Staff

Oregonians won't vote this fall on the state's new domestic partnership law, which gives gay couples many of the same legal benefits of marriage, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a lawsuit that sought to force a vote on the law, which was approved in 2007 Oregon Legislature and went into effect earlier this year.

More than 2,200 gay and lesbian couples have registered for domestic partnerships since the law took effect in February. MORE