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Marriage symposium criticizes Prop 8 |
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Bruce Adams, President Columbia Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, told
“California’s Proposition 8 was a real eye opener for many people,” says Adams. “They saw some religious groups mounting a huge effort to impose their religious view of marriage on everyone, not by persuasion, but by law. The symposium, attended by about 60 people, dealt with topics such as the evolution and history of marriage, legal differences between domestic partnerships and marriage ,and religious views about marriage. Steven K. Green -- director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Law & Democracy, Willamette University School of Law -- moderated a panel presentation that included Tamara Metz, professor of political science at Reed College; Beth A. Allen, attorney at law; Rev. Tara Wilkins, executive director of the Community of Welcoming Congregations; and Rabbi Daniel Isaak from Congregation Neveh Shalom. Rob Nosse told about his marriage to his partner in Canada. Their marriage is still not recognized in their home state of Oregon, but the couple was able to adopted their children without difficulty in Multnomah County. Bonnie Tinker recounted her long-time domestic partnership and the legal challenges resulting from lack of marital rights, and Rabbi Isaak showed a moving video from his son’s (same sex) wedding. The symposium was co-sponsored by the Portland State University Women’s Studies Department, Basic Rights Oregon, Love Makes a Family, Portland JACL (Japanese American Citizens League), the Portland Association of Teachers, the Oregon Education Association, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon. American United holds monthly discussions on issues involving the separation of church and state. For more information about the Portland area chapter contact Bruce Adams at keepthemseparate@aol.com. The Clark County Chapter (WA) can be reached through Juanita Greenway at GJUANI@aol.com. --Staff report
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Bruce Adams of Americans United