Oregon Ballot Measure 9 (1992)
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'''Ballot Measure 9''' was a [[initiative|ballot measure]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oregon]] in [[1992 in the United States|1992]], concerning [[gay rights]] and [[public education]], that drew widespread national attention.
Measure 9 would have added the following text to the [[Oregon Constitution]]:
{{cquote|All governments in Oregon may not use their monies or properties to promote, encourage or facilitate [[homosexuality]], [[pedophilia]], [[Sadism and Masochism|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.<ref>[http://bluebook.state.or.us/state/elections/elections21.htm Oregon Blue Book: Initiative, Referendum and Recall: 1988-1995<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Political context ==
The ballot measure was an effort of the [[Oregon Citizens Alliance]], a conservative group active in Oregon politics in the 1990s.<ref name="wweekanniv">{{cite news
|last=Wentz
|first=Patty
|title=Homophopia hits home
|url=http://www.wweek.com/html/25-1992.html#oca
|work=Willamette Week
|accessdate=2007-05-05
}}</ref> Supporters of the measure felt 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.
In 1994, the OCA backed Measure 13, which would have prevented schools from using materials that were deemed to legitimize homosexuality, and [[Oregon Ballot Measure 19 (1994)|Measure 19]]; in 2000, they backed another measure numbered 9. All these were unsuccessful.
== Lingering effects ==
Although the measure failed, its legacy can still be seen today. The Oregon Citizens Alliance went on to introduce a series of watered-down ballot measures along the same lines as Measure 9 (most of which failed). On the other hand, opposition to Ballot Measure 9 formed the basis of much of the current [[gay rights]] movement in Oregon, including the organization [[Basic Rights Oregon]].<ref name="wweekanniv"/>
== See also ==
* [[List of Oregon ballot measures]]
* [[Oregon Ballot Measure 19 (1994)]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.oregoncitizensalliance.org/ Oregon Citizens Alliance]
*[http://www.basicrights.org Basic Rights Oregon]
{{Oregon legislation}}
[[Category:LGBT law in the United States]]
[[Category:Oregon ballot measures|1992 09]]
[[Category:1992 in the United States]]
[[Category:1992 referendums]]