Oregon Groups Pull Back on Constitution Rights Plan

A coalition that wanted to add abortion, transgender health care and same‑sex marriage rights to Oregon’s constitution has decided not to push the proposal onto voters this November. The group, made up of Basic Rights Oregon, the ACLU of Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates, began working on the idea after the U. S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. They hoped a new ballot measure would lock in protections for people who can become pregnant, those with gender identities that differ from their sex at birth, and couples of the same sex.To qualify for a ballot spot, a petition must gather 156, 231 valid signatures. By the end of January, the coalition had only collected about 12, 400 signed papers, far below the needed amount. The organization had earlier claimed it had 52, 000 signatures, but that number was not enough either. The coalition said the decision might upset people who rely on these rights, especially in the trans and LGBTQ+ communities. They explained that while a ballot measure is not the right path now, they will keep working to defend Oregon residents’ rights through other methods. If the measure had passed, Oregon would have joined a small group of states that specifically protect transgender health care access in their constitutions.