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The Oregonian
Harry Esteve
10/17/13
Same-sex couples gain rights in Oregon -- if they were legally wed out of state

<snip>Deputy Attorney General Mary Williams wrote that Oregon’s constitutional prohibition
on same-sex marriage “would likely be construed as also prohibiting recognition
of out-of-state same-sex marriages.” However, she added,
“such a construction would likely violate the federal constitution.”<snip>

As news traveled of Oregon’s new policy to recognize legal same-sex marriages from out of state,
local reaction among gays and lesbians was muted and mixed Thursday.
“It’s almost ridiculous,” said Ben West of North Portland, who recently had a “commitment ceremony”
with his partner, Paul Rummell, but can’t legally marry here.
“I’m from Oregon and Oregon’s my home. I want to marry my partner in my home.”

West was reacting to a new Oregon Department of Justice ruling that paves the way
for the state to recognize valid, out-of-state same-sex marriages, even
as the state constitution bans any marriage other than between a man and a woman.
<snip>

Over 100,000 signatures have been gathered to change the Oregon Constitution on same-sex marriages.
At least 160,000 valid signatures are needed to place it on the 2014 ballot.