Our lovely Secretary of State, no doubt enamoured with the recent vote in neighboring Washington State and the legalization of gay marriage, sent out a message to supporters. Only it wasn't sent as a private citizen, it was sent with her official title as Secretary of State. Her message was one of joy and support, and even asking for financial support for a political action committee in Oregon that promotes gay marriage.
This is the same Office, the very same Secretary of State, that oversees administrative rules, which regulate state agencies. The same Secretary of State that oversees elections. That oversees ballot initiatives.
How can I have faith that she will fairly and objectively manage the state's affairs. Suppose a ballot initiative comes her way that runs counter to her beliefs. What trickery or bias is there.
Here in the Oregon bubble. Since this is so blatantly political, I will attach the email here:
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To: bro@basicrights.org
From: Kate Brown (at bro@basicrights.org)
There is a lot to celebrate – just earlier this week, Governor Gregoire signed Washington State's newly-passed marriage bill! This victory is an important reminder, especially on this day of love that we all need to do our part to ensure one day soon Oregon will see the day where no one is discriminated against because of who they are or who they love.
I'm forwarding you this email because Basic Rights Oregon is kicking off a great campaign to build equality across Oregon. You can help make equality a reality for every Oregonian.
Please support Basic Rights Oregon. Any amount can help send staff across the state, from Portland to Pendleton, Beaverton to Bend – to expand our work and touch more lives. And they have a donor ready to match all contributions up to $7,000 so let's help them raise $14,000 right now!
Join me in supporting equality across Oregon!
Kate
Kate Brown
Oregon Secretary of State
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Dear Courtney,
This is an exciting time. Momentum is growing for the freedom to marry and public awareness is building on the important issues of transgender health care and racial justice.
That's why we're not letting the grass grow beneath our feet in 2012. We are taking equality across Oregon! Given that 48% of Oregonians live in towns of under 20,000 people, we cannot fulfill our mission of ensuring that all Oregonians experience equality unless our work reaches every community in the state.
We'll be traveling the state this year, building a majority for marriage, increasing the number of employers who provide trans-inclusive health care, and sharing the unique experiences of LGBT people of color through the Our Families project.
We can't do it alone. To build equality across Oregon, we need your help to raise $7,000 today!
Your dollars go directly toward our work in the field: training volunteer leaders, meeting with legislators, recruiting equality-minded business and community leaders, hosting video screenings, and attending community events where we can connect with new volunteers.
And this just in – Basic Rights Oregon Board Member Al Machemehl and his partner John Harrell have graciously offered to match all contributions up to $7,000 – this means we can raise $14,000 with your support!
You can also help us by building a political majority this election year, by registering yourself and your friends to vote and supporting pro-equality candidates. In this election year, we plan to send the message that pro-LGBT voters are here to stay in Oregon, and our numbers are only growing.
We'll be tallying the miles to let you know how far we travel. See you on the road!
In solidarity,
Jeana Frazzini
Executive Director
Basic Rights Oregon
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