Oregon Ballot Measure #9 (1992)
Ballot Measure 9 was a citizens’ initiative that focused on gay rights, pedophilia, sadism, masochism and public education. The Measure would have added the following text to the Oregon Constitution: “All governments in Oregon may not use their monies or properties to promote, encourage or facilitate homosexuality, pedophilia, sadism, or masochism.
All levels of Government, including public education systems, must assist in setting a standard for Oregon’s youth which recognizes that these behaviors are abnormal, wrong, unnatural and perverse and they are to be discouraged and avoided.” It was defeated in the November 3, 1992 general election with 638,527 votes in favor, 828,290 votes against. The ballot measure was an effort of the Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA), a conservative group in Oregon politics in the 1990’s. Supporters of the measure believed that their traditional values were under siege in the face of growing acceptance of homosexuality by society.
Opponents stated that the measure was unfairly discriminatory, that it was unconstitutional, and that it demonstrated the homophobia and bigotry of its backers. Republican evangelical United States Senator Mark 0. Hatfield opposed the measure, as did most Oregon newspapers. Craig Berkman, who had been unanimously elected twice as the Oregon Republican State Chairman, joined Senator Hatfield in opposing the measure and was publicly criticized by the OCA for participating in a series of television commercials with the executive director of the Oregon Democrat party in opposition to the measure.
All levels of Government, including public education systems, must assist in setting a standard for Oregon’s youth which recognizes that these behaviors are abnormal, wrong, unnatural and perverse and they are to be discouraged and avoided.” It was defeated in the November 3, 1992 general election with 638,527 votes in favor, 828,290 votes against. The ballot measure was an effort of the Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA), a conservative group in Oregon politics in the 1990’s. Supporters of the measure believed that their traditional values were under siege in the face of growing acceptance of homosexuality by society.
Opponents stated that the measure was unfairly discriminatory, that it was unconstitutional, and that it demonstrated the homophobia and bigotry of its backers. Republican evangelical United States Senator Mark 0. Hatfield opposed the measure, as did most Oregon newspapers. Craig Berkman, who had been unanimously elected twice as the Oregon Republican State Chairman, joined Senator Hatfield in opposing the measure and was publicly criticized by the OCA for participating in a series of television commercials with the executive director of the Oregon Democrat party in opposition to the measure.