Judge upholds Oregon's gay marriage ban
By BRAD CAIN
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon's voter-approved ban on gay marriage was upheld Friday by a judge who turned aside arguments from gay-rights supporters that the measure is flawed and should not have been put to a statewide vote.

The state's largest gay-rights organization said later it would appeal the ruling while continuing its political fight in the Legislature to gain more rights and benefits for gay couples.

But the group that sponsored the gay marriage ban said the ruling honored the will of the voters and protected Oregonians' right to enact constitutional changes via the ballot.

In his ruling, Marion County Circuit Judge Joseph Guimond rejected opponents' arguments that Measure 36 contained too many changes that should have been voted on as separate amendments and that it was improperly submitted to voters. The story