Portland judge rules on same-sex marriage rights

Multnomah County (Portland, Oregon) Circuit Judge Frank Bearden today issued his decision in the expedited lawsuit over the application of marriage law to same-sex couples in Oregon.

Judge Bearden had something to give everyone: a declaration that the marriage laws violate Oregon's Equal Privileges and Immunities Clause (article I, § 20 of the Oregon Constitution); a determination that a Vermont-style solution would be every bit as just as a Massachusetts-style solution; an injunction against Multnomah County issuing any more marriage licenses to same-sex couples until the Legislature has had 90 days from its next convening to address the situation; and, finally, an order to the state to recognize the 3000 or so same-sex marriages that have already been performed.

Of course, the last word belongs to the Oregon Supreme Court, who should be getting the case soon -- and the real last word, for better or worse, may well belong to Oregon's voters.