The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | News | AAN.org

We Protested Prop. 8 ... Now What?new

With all of this talk of moving forward and looking to the future, what can we do to achieve full equality? In Oregon, Measure 36 still bars marriage equality on a constitutional level, and it'll take a tough and expensive ballot measure fight to repeal. The anti-gay activists at Concerned Oregonians are also reorganizing, and will likely try to roll back domestic partnerships next year.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 11-20-2008 | LGBT

Tags: California, same-sex marriage, gay & lesbian issues, Prop. 8, Concerned Oregonians, Measure 36

Homeless Protest Stretches on in Portlandnew

On May 13, with the homeless protesters in front of city hall facing enforcement of the city's camping ordinance, five representatives sat down with Mayor Tom Potter. The meeting did not go so well.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz and Matt Davis | 05-15-2008 | Housing & Development

Tags: protest, Homeless, Portland, housing & development

Is Oregon's Anti-Gay Initiative Effort on the Verge of Failure?new

Even if the Supreme Court OKs the petitions in the next few weeks, the anti-gay activists would have just two months to collect 82,769 valid signatures -- or 34,590 more than they failed to collect before, with one month less to do it.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 05-01-2008 | LGBT

Tags: Oregon, GLBT, same-sex marriage, anti-gay activists, gay & lesbian issues

Portland's Bridge to Disasternew

A proposed mew 12-lane bridge over the Columbia River will cost $4.2 billion, increase traffic, and do little to alleviate climate change. What the hell are we thinking?

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 03-13-2008 | Transportation

Tags: transportation

Another Anti-Gay Initiative Filed in Oregonnew

Less than a month after same-sex couples started registering as domestic partners under a state law that lets them enjoy the same state rights and responsibilities as their married opposite-sex counterparts, anti-gay activists filed an initiative to repeal the law.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 03-06-2008 | LGBT

Tags: gay & lesbian issues

Oregon's Domestic Partnership Law Runs into Murky Watersnew

The law is supposed to give registered same-sex couples the same state rights and responsibilities that marriage laws provide for opposite-sex couples -- but it remains to be seen if the separate institution will truly be equal.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 02-21-2008 | LGBT

Tags: gay & lesbian issues

Domestic Blissnew

Federal judge clears the path for domestic partnerships in Oregon.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 02-08-2008 | LGBT

Tags: gay & lesbian issues

Goin' to the Courthousenew

Attorneys for the State of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, and Alliance Defense Fund have been flinging briefs at the US District Court for more than a week, preparing for a February 1 hearing that will determine if, and when, same-sex couples can secure the state rights and responsibilities of marriage.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 02-01-2008 | Civil Liberties

Tags: civil liberties

Blind Spot of Justice?new

Prosecutors decline to charge driver who killed cyclist.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 01-17-2008 | Transportation

Tags: transportation

Gay Rights Advocates Prep for Domestic Partnership Hearingnew

On Feb. 1, Judge Michae Mosman will hear from the anti-gay activists' attorneys, who allege that state and county elections officials improperly tossed out signatures from a referendum petition aiming to put the domestic partnership law to a vote this fall.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 01-10-2008 | LGBT

Tags: gay & lesbian issues

Anti-Gay Activists Seek Injunction in Oregonnew

Less than a week before same-sex couples will be allowed to form domestic partnerships, attorneys for anti-gay activists will be in federal court, asking a judge for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to stop the new law from taking effect.

The Portland Mercury | Amy J. Ruiz | 12-27-2007 | LGBT

Tags: gay & lesbian issues