WASHINGTON, April 14, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Today, the Supreme Court of Oregon acted in accordance with established law and nullified 3,000 marriage licenses that were distributed to same-sex couples last year in Multnomah County. The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners began issuing the licenses illegally on March 3, 2004, after deciding that limiting marriage to the union of one man and one woman was unconstitutional. The court ruled that the county had no authority to issue licenses to same-sex couples.
Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council, reacted to the ruling saying, “We must commend the Oregon Supreme Court on their restraint and willingness to follow the law rather than making it. Last fall, Oregon voters joined 13 other states in recognizing the definition of marriage as one man and one woman.”
Concerned Women for America pointed out that the victory is even larger than it appears since the Oregon Supreme Court is well known for its anti-morality bias. This is a tremendous victory for marriage, especially from a very liberal, activist court,” said Jan LaRue, CWA’s chief counsel. “This is the same court that in another case held that the state constitution protects obscenity.”