Tina Kotek on Civil Rights

	Tina Kotek on Civil Rights

Came out in early 20s; been with wife for 17 years

I also came out as a lesbian in my early twenties and it was liberating. While it wasn't always easy, each experience coming out to others strengthened my resilience. For me, coming out became a personal responsibility to undermine hatred and bigotry. While getting my graduate degree, I fought for and won domestic partnership rights for faculty and students at the University of Washington. Tina and her wife Aimee have been together for 17 years. They live in North Portland with their two dogs. My experience working at nonprofits on behalf of Oregon's most vulnerable led me to serve in the Oregon Legislature. In my first term, I rewrote the state's poverty program for low-income families. In 2013, I was honored to be elected Speaker of the House. From expanding economic security for more families, combating climate change, and working hard to get us through an unprecedented pandemic, my time in the legislature has been dedicated to fighting for Oregonians. Source: 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website TinaForOregon.com , Dec 15, 2021

Ban the LGBTQ Panic Defense for second degree murder

SB704: Provides that discovery of victim's actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation does not constitute reasonable explanation for extreme emotional disturbance for purposes of affirmative defense to murder in the second degree.

Basic Rights Oregon Summary: On May 13, the Oregon House passed Senate Bill 704, which will ban the use of the LGBTQ panic defense in Oregon! Then, on May 21, Governor Kate Brown signed it into law.

What does this mean for our community?

It means sending the message that violence against LGBTQ people is never acceptable.

It means showing up for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx transgender women who experience disproportionately high rates of violence.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 29-1-0 on Apr/14/21; Passed House 54-0-6 on May/13/21; State Rep. Tina Kotek co-sponsored and voted YES; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/21/21.

Source: BasicRights.org on Oregon Legislature voting records SB704 , May 13, 2021

Let transgendered privately change name/sex on vital records

Legislative Summary:HB2673: Creates alternative process for persons seeking to change name on vital record for purpose of affirming gender identity. Eliminates requirement for courts to publicly post court orders changing name or gender identity.

NBC News analysis:Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill that will make it easier for transgender people in Oregon to shield any updates they make to their birth certificates, a process typically conducted through the court system without privacy from public view. The measure makes Oregon the second state after California to adopt laws specifically designed to help mitigate potential discrimination against transgender individuals from employers, landlords or anyone else who is otherwise able to dig up birth-record changes through public record.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 37-23-0 on Mar/15/17; House Speaker Tina Kotek voted YES; Passed Senate 23-6-1 on May/10/17; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/18/17

Source: NBC News analysis of Oregon HB2673 voting records , Mar 15, 2017

Oregon Equality Act: sexual orientation is a civil right

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: To protect their health, safety and morals from the consequences of intergroup hostility, tensions and practices of discrimination of any kind based on sexual orientation: The Legislative Assembly intends to provide:

A program of public education calculated to eliminate attitudes upon which practices of discrimination because of sexual orientation;
An adequate remedy for persons aggrieved by certain acts of discrimination because of sexual orientation;
hereby is recognized as and declared to be a civil right.

However, this section shall not be construed to prevent a bona fide church from preferring an employee of one religious sect or persuasion over another. Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 21-7 on March 21; passed House 35-25 on April 17; State Rep. Tina Kotek voted YES; signed by Governor Ted Kulongoski on May 9, 2007. Source: The Oregon Equality Act (SB 2): state voting records , Apr 17, 2007

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