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Amber and Rachael filed their lawsuit against Idaho in Nov. 2013. They were married Oct. 15, 2014.In November 2013, eight women -- four couples -- sued the state of Idaho over its 2006 voter-approved constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.The plaintiffs, Susan Latta and Traci Ehlers, Lori Watsen and Sharene Watsen, Shelia Robertson and Andrea Altmayer, and Amber Beierle and Rachael Robertson, say Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage violates equal protection and due process guarantees.Two of the couples have been legally married in other states and two have tried to get Idaho marriage licenses and been denied.Their case went to U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale in May 2014. On May 13, eight days after Dale heard the case, she struck down Idaho's same-sex marriage ban.Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden appealed that ruling in an effort to uphold Idaho's Constitution as approved by voters in 2006.On Oct. 7, 2014, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Dale's ruling, striking down Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage. After more than a week of legal challenges, same-sex marriages began Oct. 15, 2014 in Idaho.

Gay Marriage Signature Gathering Off To Rapid Start in Oregon

Garry Knight
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Garry Knight, Flickr.

Gay rights advocates say their campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in Oregon is off to a more rapid start than expected. Backers of the effort said Tuesday that they've gathered more than 42,000 signatures in just over two weeks.

The campaign is relying heavily on volunteers, who are aided in part by this catchy video that outlines the basic rules of collecting names. Such as, voters must sign with a pen.

The voice on the video quips, "No pencils, no invisible ink, no barbecue sauce, and no erasers."

They'll need about 116,000 valid signatures but they have until next July to turn them all in.

Peter Zuckerman, spokesperson for Oregon United for Marriage, says that is a very reachable goal. "The amount of support and enthusiasm for this is incredible."

The swift kick-off to the campaign could foreshadow a spirited public debate if the petition does make it to the ballot.

Oregon voters banned same-sex marriage in 2004. One of the groups behind that effort, the Oregon Family Council, promises to oppose the current attempt to overturn it.

On the Web:

Same sex marriage FAQ - Oregon United for Marriage

Position on marriage - Oregon Family Council

Measure 36 (2004) voting summary - oregonvotes.org

Copyright 2021 Northwest News Network. To see more, visit Northwest News Network.

Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.
Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.

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