Salem-News.com Lifestyle articles Page 1

Oregon House Makes Adjustments to Domestic Partnership Law

The bill passed the Oregon House by a vote of 51 to 8 and moves to the state Senate for consideration.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon House today passed legislation adjusting several technical provisions of Oregon's domestic partnership system.

In 2007, Oregon created domestic partnerships which establish limited protections and responsibilities for caring and committed same-sex couples.

New Urbanist or Old Suburban: What`s Better?

April brings out the Earth Day in all of us. But what about the other 11 months? These new neighborhoods offer new, greener lifestyle options.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Dear EarthTalk: What makes those so-called "new urbanism" housing developments popping up around the U.S. more environmentally friendly than regular old suburban neighborhoods? - Rusty Spinoza, Galveston, TX

ET: The husband-and-wife team of town planners Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk are typically credited as the founders of new urbanism, a style of community design that embraces mixed use development in pedestrian-friendly and green space-rich neighborhoods—much like the old neighborhoods many baby-boomers remember before suburban sprawl made us all slaves to our cars.

UCLA Study on Same-Sex Marks Implementation of Oregon`s New Law

Today, Monday, is the first time same-sex couples can become domestic partners in Oregon.

(LOS ANGELES) - Today, the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law released two new research studies, one estimating that same-sex domestic partnerships will have a positive impact on the biennial state budget of $1.5 million to $3.7 million, the other analyzing U.S. Census data to provide demographic and economic information for the almost 11,000 same-sex couples in Oregon.

This information is especially relevant as today, for the first time, same-sex couples in Oregon may become domestic partners, following last Friday's ruling by a federal judge to lift an injunction on the domestic partnership law.

Federal Judge Blocks Oregon’s Domestic Partnership Law

The law scheduled to take effect January 1st would give some spousal rights to same-sex couples.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - In a shocking move today, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) which postpones Oregon’s Domestic Partnership law from going into effect on January 2nd 2008 as scheduled. Basic Rights Oregon argued in their amicus brief to the court that the delay of this state law is unfair and uncalled for.

"This delay tactic results in real harm to countless Oregonians and their families, and is absolutely unnecessary."

Homosexuals? The Pizzen Controversy

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician, Toxicologist and Pharmacologist.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - An article "Army Homosexuals: Let Them Serve" created a firestorm of Pizzen controversy. My comments were that ANYONE who volunteers for the armed services should be allowed to serve. Homos (forgive the abbreviation) have been in all armies and all of civilization since time began. (Read your bible).

Examples of discrimination by "white normal Caucasians" are rife in American history. Blacks, Orientals, Native Americans and Hispanics have been discriminated against since the word GO, and women of every race have been discriminated against as well.