10:38 AM PST on Friday, February 20, 2004

Associated Press

Oregon voters might have a say on gay marriage this fall.

Opponents of gay marriage have filed four versions of a proposed initiative that would prevent Oregon from recognizing gay marriages performed in another state.

AP San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom stands between newlyweds, Cissie Bonini, left, and Lora Pertle, during a reception at San Francisco City Hall, Friday, Feb. 13, 2004.

Two weeks ago, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage must be allowed under the state constitution. States typically recognize marriages performed in other states, but 38 states since 1996 have approved laws and constitutional amendments that seek to prevent recognition of same-sex marriages from other states.

Although four initiatives were filed with the state Elections Division on Thursday, it is likely that proponents will seek to put only one on the ballot. Initiative proponents often file different versions of the same initiative, hoping to get the most favorable language in the ballot title.

If supporters gather enough signatures, the measure would appear on the November ballot.

This effort follows more than 2,900 gay marriages that have been performed in San Francisco since that city began defying state law last week.

Two of the proposed Oregon initiatives are statutory, which need 75,630 valid signatures. The other two are constitutional, which require 100,840 signatures.

Tim Nashif, a political consultant who is involved with a group that produces a Christian-voter guide, said he has talked in recent days with a group of pastors interested in preventing the recognition of gay marriage in Oregon.

"Right now, they don't know if they will proceed," Nashif said. The options, he said, are to file a constitutional initiative, ask the Legislature to refer it to the ballot or wait for action by Congress.

"They understand that if they are going to (get) on the ballot, they have to move now," he said.

The attorney general's office has until Feb. 27 to complete a draft ballot title. Opponents have until March 12 to file comments.

If there are comments, the secretary of state and the attorney general have 10 business days to determine whether the initiative meets other constitutional requirements and certify the ballot title.

Opponents can then appeal the title to the Oregon Supreme Court, a common delay tactic that has effectively prevented initiative supporters from gathering enough signatures by the July deadline.

Gay rights advocates, who successfully defeated three anti-gay rights initiatives from 1992 to 2000, said they would fight the initiative.

"We will make it our top priority," said Roey Thorpe, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon. "This is an unfortunate and mean-spirited attempt to divide people in Oregon, to deny gay and lesbian people and their families important civil rights. And it smacks of political opportunism."