In spite of deep concerns with SB 2, there are three reasons the Oregon Family Council will not take a lead in bringing SB 2 to a public vote through a referendum. 

To begin, in our 27 years of operations, we have never referred a bill we disapproved of. Unlike Multnomah County’s backroom dealings with same-sex marriage, the legislative process on SB 2 did provide opportunities for public input. Hundreds of citizens testified in opposition to these bills and many thousands contacted their Senators and Representatives. We will now encourage citizens who are unhappy with the votes of their elected officials to express that unhappiness during the 2008 elections.    Secondly, our battle to protect marriage is not complete. We are still engaged in a lengthy and costly legal challenge to Measure 36 that is not likely to be settled soon. We are dedicated to continue the fight for traditional marriage in Oregon as long as it takes. 

Thirdly, the most critical aspect of SB 2 for us was protecting our religious liberties. The legislature addressed that concern. Had SB 2 not been fixed, there would have been no choice but to run a referendum. Every session the legislature passes laws that we believe are seriously flawed, but we simply cannot do referendums on them all. 

Should some other organization or community leaders successfully gather enough signatures to put SB 2 before Oregon Voters we will not actively be part of a campaign but will strongly encourage our supporters to vote for the referendum and defeat this bill.