Eugene Local Measure 51

Eugene local measure 51
May 23, 1978
Referendum petition - measure repealing Ordinance No. 18080, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 22,898 63.04%
No 13,427 36.96%
Valid votes 36,325 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00%
Total votes 36,325 100.00%

Eugene Local Measure 51 was a 1978 petition calling for a referendum in Eugene, Oregon, to repeal Ordinance no. 18080, which prohibited sexual orientation discrimination in the city.[1] VOICE (Volunteer Organization in Community Enactments) created and campaigned for the petition, and gathered enough signatures to force a referendum vote. Measure 51 passed with 22,898 votes for and 13,427 against.[1] This bill's passage garnered national attention, with Miami anti-gay activist Anita Bryant's telegram congratulating VOICE on the victory. It is the earliest example of 35 ballot measures to limit gay rights in Oregon.[2]

  1. ^ a b "Eugene Election History". eugene-or.gov. July 2, 2018. p. 36. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  2. ^ Nicola, George (April 10, 2013). "Oregon Anti-Gay Ballot Measures". GLAPN. Retrieved March 3, 2020.