The Williams Institute

Efforts to enact a law banning workplace discrimination against gay men and lesbians in Oregon began in 1973, and such legislation was introduced in every one of the 17 regular legislative sessions between 1973 and 2007. In 2005, the Senate passed an omnibus anti-discrimination bill, but the bill died in the House. Finally, in 2007, a comprehensive anti-discrimination law was enacted. The new law, which defines sexual orientation to include gender identity, took effect January 1, 2008. Oregon Ballot Measure 145, which was meant to overturn the Oregon Equality Act, was withdrawn before November 2008. Its proponents stated they would not have enough time to gather the signatures required by the deadline. It was the most recent of dozens of attempts to repeal or prevent anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBT people in Oregon.