Oregon's Anti-Gay Campaigns Helped State (In Their Own Way)

Good news to mention: opponents of two new state civil rights laws here in Oregon – one banning discrimination in the work place against gays and lesbians and the other extending civil union benefits to same sex couples – have failed in their effort to collect enough signatures to force a vote on recalling the measures.

Over the last two decades the Religious Right has placed ballot measure after ballot measure before the voters attempting to curtail civil rights for the GLBT community.

The fights have always been ugly and cost millions.  It is a relief that this time we won’t have to spend energy here in Oregon debating once again the merits of providing basic civil rights for all people. 

On the other hand, I have to give credit where credit is due.  Without these ballot measures Oregonians would have never have been forced to confront the issue of civil rights for gays and lesbians so directly.  Our churches, for example, might never had to wrestle with the theological implications of saying to another “your life is not deserving of equal protection under the law.”

Most people know that these anti-gay campaigns have been waged by Christians.  Fewer know that these campaigns have also been opposed by Christians – Christians who have come to an understanding that God’s justice, love, mercy, and grace is available to all.  Without these anti-gay campaigns over the years fewer congregations in the Christian community would have ever declared themselves to be “Open and Affirming” or “Welcoming” or “Reconciling.”

No one knows the full extent of the damage done to people over the years as the initiatives have been debated.  The stress has to be enormous on people who know their rights are actually going be voted on.  That takes a toll, no question.

But the Religious Right never anticipated that one result of their efforts would be to extend the openness of many churches.  The anti-gay movement in Oregon has helped many to reject the more narrow impulses of Christian tradition and to shine a light of hope where before for many there was only darkness and emptiness in our sanctuaries.

Members of the Community of Welcoming Congregations

Our Member Congregations

• Buddhist
  • The Dharma Center, Klamath Falls ⇒
    9669 Highway 140 E.

    Klamath Falls, OR 97601 map
• Catholic
  • Journey/ Koinonia Catholic Community, Portland ⇒
    St. Stephens Episcopal Church
    SW 13th and Clay

    Portland, OR 97225 map
  • St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Portland ⇒
    806 NE Alberta St.

    Portland, OR 97211 map
  • St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church, Portland ⇒
    330 SE 11th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97214 map
  • St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Portland ⇒
    2408 SE 16th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97214 map
• Catholic / Lutheran
  • Mission Of The Atonement, Beaverton ⇒
    7400 SW Scholls Ferry Road

    Beaverton, OR 97008 map
• Christian
  • Abiding Grace Fellowship, Vancouver ⇒
    10637 NE Coxley Drive, Ste. 108

    Vancouver, OR 98685 map
  • Divina Communis Projects, Portland ⇒
    8233 North Syracuse Street, Suite A

    Portland, OR 97203 map
• Church Of The Brethren
  • Peace Church Of The Brethren, Portland ⇒
    12727 SE Market St

    Portland, OR 97233 map
• Disciples Of Christ
  • The View Christian Church, Portland ⇒
    c/o Lynchwood Christian Church
    3815 SE 174th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97236 map
• Episcopal
  • St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Eugene ⇒
    166 East 13th Ave.

    Eugene, OR 97405-0980 map
  • St. Stephen's Episcopal Parish, Portland ⇒
    1432 SW 13th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97201 map
  • Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland ⇒
    ATTN: Open & Welcoming Committee
    147 NW 19th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97209 map
• Jewish
  • Keshet Jewish Group, Portland ⇒
    Call David 503-226-7079 x14
    If no answer, call 503-684-1900 leave message

    Portland, OR  map
• Jewish (conservative)
  • Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland ⇒
    2900 SW Peaceful Ln.

    Portland, OR 97201 map
• Jewish (liberal)
  • Congregation Shir Tikvah, Portland ⇒
    Bridgeport Community Church
    621 NE 76th

    Portland, OR  map
• Jewish (reconstructionist)
  • Havurah Shalom, Portland ⇒
    825 NW 18th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97209-2333 map
  • Temple Beth Israel, Eugene ⇒
    42 W 25th Ave.

    Eugene, OR 97405 map
• Jewish (reform)
  • Congregation Beth Israel, Portland ⇒
    1972 NW Flanders

    Portland, OR 97209 map
• Jewish (renewal)
  • P'nai Or, Portland ⇒
    9750 SW Terwilliger Blvd

    Portland, OR 97219 map
• Lutheran ( E L C A )
  • Augustana Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    2710 NE 14th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97212 map
  • Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Portland
    1244 NE 39th Ave

    Portland, OR 97232 map
  • Central Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    1820 NE 21st Ave.

    Portland, OR 97212 map
  • Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    515 SW Maplecrest Dr.

    Portland, OR 97219 map
  • St. James Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    1315 SW Park

    Portland, OR 97219 map
• M C C
  • Metropolitan Community Church Of Portland, Portland ⇒
    2400 NE Broadway

    Portland, OR 97232 map
• Mormon
  • Affirmation ( Queer Mormons ), Portland ⇒
    Call for meeting times and locations.
    (971) 409-3463

    Portland, OR  map
• New Thought
  • New Thought Ministries Of Oregon, Beaverton ⇒
    Kingstad Conference Center
    15450 SW Millikan Way

    Beaverton, OR 97006 map
  • Portland Center For Spiritual Growth, Portland ⇒
    11307 NE Fremont Ct

    Portland, OR 97220 map
• Pagan
  • Sister Spirit, Portland ⇒
    Portland, OR 
• Presbyterian Church ( U S A )
  • Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, Portland ⇒
    1907 NE 45th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97213 map
  • Southminster Presbyterian Church, Beaverton ⇒
    12250 SW Denney Rd

    Beaverton, OR 97008 map
  • St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Portland ⇒
    9750 SW Terwilliger Blvd.

    Portland, OR  map
• Quaker
  • Fanno Creek Worship Group, Beaverton ⇒
    Catlin Gabel School - Dant House
    8825 SW Barnes Road

    Beaverton, OR  map
  • Freedom Friends Church, Salem ⇒
    2425 13th St. SE

    Salem, OR 97302 map
  • Multnomah Monthly Meeting, Portland ⇒
    4312 SE Stark

    Portland, OR 97215 map
• Unitarian Universalist
  • Atkinson Memorial Church, Oregon City ⇒
    710 Sixth St.

    Oregon City, OR 97045 map
  • Eastrose Fellowship Unitarian Universalist, Gresham ⇒
    1133 NE 181st Ave.

    Gresham, OR  map
  • First Unitarian Church, Portland ⇒
    1011 SW 12th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97205 map
  • Michael Servetus Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Vancouver ⇒
    4504 E. 18th St.

    Vancouver, WA 98661 map
  • Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Hood River ⇒
    Mid-Columbia Center for Living
    1610 Woods Ct

    Hood River, OR 97031 map
  • Unitarian Universalist Community Church Of Washington County, Hillsboro ⇒
    22785 NW Birch St

    Hillsboro, OR 97124 map
  • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Of Corvallis, Corvallis ⇒
    2945 NW Circle Dr.

    Corvallis, OR 97330-3937 map
  • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Of Klamath County, Klamath Falls ⇒
    9669 Highway 140 East
    P.O. Box 391

    Klamath Falls, OR 97601 map
  • Wy'east Unitarian Universalist, Portland ⇒
    3300 SE Woodstock Blvd.

    Portland, OR 97202 map
• United Church Of Christ
  • Ainsworth United Church Of Christ, Portland ⇒
    2941 NE Ainsworth

    Portland, OR 97211 map
  • All People's United Church Of Christ, Bend
    Bend, OR 
  • Beavercreek United Church Of Christ, Beaver Creek ⇒
    23345 S Beavercreek Rd.

    Beaver Creek, OR 97004 map
  • Bridgeport United Church Of Christ, Portland ⇒
    621 NE 76th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97213 map
  • Christ The Healer United Church Of Christ, Beaverton ⇒
    5150 SW Watson

    Beaverton, OR 97005 map
  • Clackamas United Church Of Christ, Milwaukie ⇒
    15303 SE Webster Rd.

    Milwaukie, OR 97267 map
  • Congregational United Church Of Christ, Klamath Falls ⇒
    2154 Garden Ave.

    Klamath Falls, OR 97601 map
  • First Congregational Church Of Vancouver, Vancouver ⇒
    1220 NE 68th

    Vancouver, WA 98665 map
  • First Congregational United Church Of Christ, Corvallis, Corvallis ⇒
    4515 SW West Hills Rd.

    Corvallis, OR 97333 map
  • First Congregational United Church Of Christ, Portland, Portland ⇒
    1126 SW Park Ave.

    Portland, OR 97205 map
  • First Congregational United Church Of Christ, Salem, Salem ⇒
    700 Marion St. NE

    Salem, OR 97301 map
  • Forest Grove United Church Of Christ, Forest Grove ⇒
    2032 College Way

    Forest Grove, OR 97116 map
  • Hillsdale Community United Church Of Christ, Portland ⇒
    6948 SW Capital Hwy

    Portland, OR 97219 map
  • Kairos - Milwaukie United Church Of Christ, Milwaukie ⇒
    4790 Logus Rd.

    Milwaukie, OR 97222 map
  • Lake Oswego United Church Of Christ, Lake Oswego ⇒
    1111 SW Country Club Rd.

    Lake Oswego, OR 97034 map
  • Meridian United Church Of Christ, Wilsonville ⇒
    6750 SW Boeckman Rd.

    Wilsonville, OR 97070 map
  • Parkrose United Church Of Christ, Portland ⇒
    4715 NE 106th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97220 map
  • United Church Of Christ Congregational Of The Dalles, The Dalles ⇒
    111 E 5th St.

    The Dalles, OR 97058 map
  • Waverly Heights United Church Of Christ, Portland ⇒
    3300 SE Woodward

    Portland, OR 97202 map
  • Zion United Church Of Christ, Gresham ⇒
    2025 NE 23rd

    Gresham, OR 97030 map
• United Methodist Church
  • First United Methodist Church, Corvallis ⇒
    1165 NW Monroe Ave.

    Corvallis, OR 97330 map
  • First United Methodist Church, Portland ⇒
    1838 SW Jefferson St.

    Portland, OR 97201 map
  • Metanoia Peace Community United Methodist Church, Portland ⇒
    2116 NE 18th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97212 map
  • Micah's Village - Christ The Reconciler UMC, Clackamas ⇒
    Sunnyside Grange
    SE 132nd and SE Sunnyside Road

    Clackamas, OR  map
  • Morningside United Methodist Church, Salem ⇒
    3674 12th St. SE

    Salem, OR 97302-3459 map
  • University Park United Methodist Church, Portland ⇒
    4775 N Lombard St.

    Portland, OR 97203 map
  • Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church, Vancouver ⇒
    5701 MacArthur Blvd.

    Vancouver, WA 98661 map

Affiliated Members

• Act for Action - Theater for All, Portland ⇒
  PO Box 14162

  Portland, OR 97293
• Interfaith Spiritual Center, Portland ⇒
  4619 N. Michigan
  enter on Going Street

  Portland, OR 97217
• Justice and Witness Ministry Team - CPC UCC, Portland ⇒
  c/o Aleita Hass-Holcombe
  0245 SW Bancroft Suite E

  Portland, OR 97239
• PFLAG Clackamas County, Oregon City ⇒
  Meetings at Atkinson Memorial Church
  710 Sixth Street

  Oregon City, OR 97045
• PFLAG Pendleton, Pendleton ⇒
  P.O. Box 755

  Pendleton, OR 97801
• PFLAG Portland, Portland ⇒
  P.O. Box 8944

  Portland, OR 97207

Campus Ministers and Chaplains

• Rev. Dr. Karen Wood, Willamette University ⇒
  Willamette University, 
• Rev. Gwen Morgan, Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital ⇒