Flash Album of Pictures   Standing Stone Brewing Company in Ashland last Thursday evening, February 12^th was packed with excited folks from 3 to 87 years old. Over 100 people turned out for the event.

Organized by local LGBT equality organizer and activist, Leslie A. Stone, people crowded the dance floor as they celebrated the anniversary of Oregon’s anti-discrimination and domestic partnerships laws and the anniversaries of Jackson and Josephine county couples who registered their relationship with the state one-year ago.

Committed couples who registered last year included Fanda Bender and Sheila Gam, Val and Edeltraud Muroki and James Frank and David Gray, and Leslie Stone and her partner of 30 years this April, Karen von Bergen.  Fanda and Sheila have been together almost thirty-one years, and they, along with Val and Edeltraud and Jim and David, assisted Leslie with the event.

Standing Stone Brewing Company, owned by Danielle and Alex Amarotico, was the site of another celebration organized by Leslie in February 2008, shortly after the enactment of the Domestic Partnership Law.  “It just seemed right that the first year anniversary celebration should be here”, she said.  Also, Montana Soul, a local dance band, performed and entertained the crowd that night in 2008 as well as Thursday night. Again, they did not disappoint! Their music is cross generational and the guests danced enthusiastically as the band performed non-stop for 2 and a half hours!

Reverend Pam Shepherd of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ashland also attended. Last month her church made a decision to no longer sign marriage licenses for anyone until they could sign them for everyone.

Leslie told the group that we are fortunate to live in Oregon. In more than 30 states across the country it is legal for businesses to fire their employees based on their sexual orientation and/or their gender identity and gender expression. and said “while Domestic Partner protections are important, they fall far short of marriage”, echoing the sentiment of Basic Rights Oregon’s Executive Director, Jeana Frazzini.

Domestic partnerships have serious drawbacks such as no portability meaning that it is only valid in Oregon, no federal recognition, and no federal benefits.

Across the nation events took place to commemorate Freedom to Marry week. Leslie said, that the important things to remember are:

• Marriage is about commitment and responsibility and wanting to take care of and be responsible for each other.
• Denying committed couples the security and legal protections of marriage hurts them; it’s wrong to make it harder for committed couples to take care of and be responsible for each other.
• Folks may not all agree on marriage for same sex couples, but it shouldn’t be grounds for hurting committed couples. Just because someone is uncomfortable with marriage for gay couples, doesn’t mean they should make it illegal.

And, it’s clear the political climate has finally changed, making it possible for states such as Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Iowa, Maine, California and the District of Columbia to achieve marriage equality in 2009.

Leslie said it’s important to have conversations with folks.  Say to them, “Think about this. What if you were not able to marry the one you love? How would this impact you, your partner, your goals, and your future plans?

An informational table was set up and included a letter, with signature sheets, that Leslie and other activists will deliver to US Rep Greg Walden urging him to support a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  Also displayed at the event was the Human Rights Campaign buying guide and a poster showing which products to avoid, as well as equality minded companies to support. Information about local LGBT equality organizations such as Southern Oregon Stonewall Democratic Caucus, Lotus Rising Project, Not Straight Not Sure and Basic Rights Oregon was also available.

In the past year over 2,600 Oregon couples have registered their relationships with the state.