Oregon

Relationship Recognition Information

Statewide Relationship Recognition
no Licenses marriages for same-sex couples.
no Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions.
yes Relationship recognition for same-sex couples: Domestic Partnerships.

  • 2007 The Oregon legislature enacted the Oregon Family Fairness Act that established a domestic partner registry that gives same-sex couples the right to receive most, but not all of the obligations and protections that married couples receive. See Lambda Legal's fact sheet The Legal Rights of Registered Domestic Partners in Oregon for more information and answers to common questions.
  • 2004 The state’s Constitution was amended to say, “It is the policy of Oregon, and its political subdivisions, that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or legally recognized as a marriage.” See Oregon Constitution, Article XV, § 5a.
  • 1996 Domestic partnership benefits. State law and regulations of providing medical insurance on the basis of marital status struck down byTanner v. Oregon Health Sciences University, (Cir. Ct., Multnomah County. August 8, 1996). The court, ruling that the provisions violate the state constitution and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation, ordered Oregon to extend medical coverage to the partners of gay and lesbian state employees. However, the attorney general’s appeal of the ruling means the court’s order has not yet taken effect.

Employment Information

Statewide Employment Protections
yes Private employment protections based on sexual orientation.
yes Private employment protections based on gender identity.
yes Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation.
yes Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity.

See Tanner v. Oregon Health Sciences Univ. 157 Ore. App. 502, 971 P.2d 435 (1998).

  • 2007 The Oregon legislature passed SB 2 which provides protection from sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in all areas of pubic and private employment as well as prohibiting discrimination in places of public accommodation. See Lambda Legal’s fact sheet The Oregon Equality Act to learn more about this law.

Parenting Information

Statewide Parenting Laws
Who May Adopt Any person. ORS 109.309(1)
Second Parent Adoptions Approved in lower courts.
Notes Favorable climate. See, e.g., In re Marriage of Ashling, 599 P.2d 475 (Or. App. 1979)

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