Bring it on

"Bring it on!" That's the stump speech refrain of the new Democratic presidential nominee-apparent, but it could as well be the new rallying cry of Portland-area supporters of gay marriage.

As is being reported on most of Portland's news websites tonight, Multnomah County has decided to start issuing marriage licenses tomorrow to same-sex couples. This comes on the heels of gay marriages in San Francisco, New Mexico and New York state, and it is the result of a legal interpretation by the county's legal counsel, Agnes Sowle [yet another WWP colleague and amigo].

Multnomah County normally requires a three-day wait after licenses are issued before marriages can be performed, except in certain circumstances. Worldwide Pablo thinks we'll see exactly that happen tomorrow, when the license desk opens up at 10 a.m. Already, at least one circuit court judge seems to be indicating she'll waive the waiting period.

Expect a circus. The sheriff is bringing in extra patrols, the religious conservatives are already fulminating, and no doubt any number of WWP pals are ironing their tuxedos and gowns as this is being written.

How could this happen so quickly? WWP had just stepped out for a quick post-birthday celebration/dinner with friends, and in the short time he was gone, presto, gay marriage comes to the Beaver state. Must be because we believe in dreamers...

For up-to-the-moment coverage, check out Portland Communique, where b!X is doing his usual bang-up job on the topic.

We live in interesting times, no?

[Update: Other Oregon blogs monitoring and commenting on the Multnomah marriage muddle include: My Whim is Law, Blarg Blog, Noah Brimhall's Weblog, Pacific Views, Chuck Currie, What in the Blue Hell?, and of course, Dishpan Dribble.]

Comments

[alan]

this news makes me very proud to live in portland, or. my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to the pioneering couples who, beginning tomorrow, finally get to experience something unfairly and cruelly denied them........

[Tammy]

This news makes me very ashamed to live in Oregon! Thank God Bush is president at this particular point in history. Maybe he will be able to restore normalacy!

[hot toddy]

Tammy - the normal state of things in the USA is for citizens to be granted equal rights. Also, we're "normally" not at war.

I would not say Bush has done a bang-up job of restoring normalcy.

Sorry to interrupt your preaching.

[terri]

there is no good reason we should let gay people marry. and there is no good reason that the president we have today is our president. bush ahs taken away our health care for adults and for children. we have lost jobs because of him, he dont care about our gas prices. he dont care about the people of this state or country. he want the money oil and what ever else he can get his has on. i guess if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth you would be greety to. he has taken and taken , he wont quite until he has taken everything we have. he doesnt even live here, only comes here when he wants votes but he can take our livly hood away which is logging, i live in a town that had three mills, everyone worked at one of them sometime here well we have not one left. people that dont live here should leave us alone.