{{Short description|Referendum on gay rights}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox referendum |name = Measure 9 |title =Government Cannot Facilitate, Must Discourage Homosexuality, Other "Behaviors". |yes = 638,527 |no = 828,290 |invalid = |total = 1,466,817 |map=1992 Oregon Ballot Measure 9 results map by county.svg |mapdivision=county |mapcaption= County results {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Yes''' {{Legend|#B6C8D9|50–60%}} {{Legend|#7d9cbb|60–70%}} {{col-2}} '''No''' {{Legend|#DEDEBD|50–60%}} {{Legend|#BCBC83|60–70%}} {{col-end}} |notes=Source: Oregon Blue Book{{r|Blue Book p21}} }} '''Oregon Ballot Measure 9''' was a 1992 ballot initiative concerning LGBTQ rights in the state of Oregon. Sponsored by the Christian conservative group Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA), the measure sought to amend the Oregon Constitution to prohibit anti-discrimination laws regarding sexual orientation and to declare homosexuality to be "abnormal, wrong, unnatural, and perverse".{{r|Blazak 2022|Peterson del Mar 2003}} Listing homosexuality alongside pedophilia and sadism and masochism, it has been described as one of the harshest anti-gay measures presented to voters in American history.{{r|Schultz 2021|p=6}}
The initiative was defeated by 56 percent to 44 percent in the 1992 general election.{{r|Blazak 2022|Staggenborg 2016}} The OCA went on to successfully sponsor similar anti-LGBTQ initiatives in municipalities across Oregon.{{r|Stone 2024}} These local measures were later overruled by the state legislature.{{r|Blazak 2022|Peterson del Mar 2003}} Opposition to Measure 9 was an early victory for the LGBTQ movement in the United States.{{r|Stone 2024}}
== Campaign == Measure 9 was an effort of the Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA), a conservative group affiliated with the Christian Coalition that was active in Oregon politics in the 1990s.{{r|Staggenborg 2016|Blazak 2022|Lang 2022|Wentz 1999}} The initiative sought to amend the Oregon Constitution to prohibit anti-discrimination laws regarding sexual orientation and to declare homosexuality to be "abnormal, wrong, unnatural, and perverse".{{r|Blazak 2022|Peterson del Mar 2003}} William Schultz, writing in ''Oregon Historical Quarterly'', describes it as one of the most comprehensive and harshest anti-gay measures put to voters in American history.{{r|Schultz 2021|p=6}}
Taking advantage of public hostility toward affirmative action, campaigners invoked the idea of "special rights"{{r|Pierceson p81}} to imply that LGBTQ people wanted social advantages rather than mere equality.{{r|n1=Staggenborg 2016|n2=Schultz 2021|p2=8}} In this and similar campaigns, homosexuality was portrayed as a choice at odds with societal norms rather than an innate characteristic deserving of protection.{{r|Staggenborg 2016}} The campaign made extensive use of a video titled ''The Gay Agenda'' produced by a California evangelical group, which featured scenes from gay pride parades chosen to portray gay men as hypermasculine and threatening.{{r|Staggenborg 2016}} Another film titled ''Gay Rights{{endash}}Special Rights: Inside the Homosexual Agenda'' (1993), produced by the Southern Baptist Convention, also circulated in the state.{{r|Summers p96}}
Opponents outspent the OCA six to one.{{r|Peterson del Mar 2003}} The measure was ultimately defeated, with 56 percent of voters voting against{{r|Blazak 2022}} and 44 percent in support of the measure.{{r|Staggenborg 2016}}
== Background == {{See also|LGBTQ rights in Oregon|1992 in LGBTQ rights|1992 United States presidential election in Oregon}}
In 1991, OCA Chairman Lon Mabon announced an "Abnormal Behaviors Initiative" that would seek to prevent state and local governments from "condoning or promoting" homosexuality along with necrophilia, bestiality, or pedophilia.{{r|Schultz 2021|p=18}} Mabon and the OCA sponsored initiatives restricting LGBTQ rights in the cities of Corvallis and Springfield in early 1992.{{r|Stone 2024}}
Supporters of Measure 9 felt that their traditional values were under siege in the face of growing acceptance of homosexuality by society.{{r|Peterson del Mar 2003}} Also in 1992, voters in Colorado passed Amendment 2, a similar anti–LGBTQ rights measure.{{r|Blazak 2022|name2=Schultz 2021|pages2=6–7}} Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed believed these efforts could successfully counter the LGBTQ rights movement in the United States; he stated that, if successful, Measure 9 and Amendment 2 could "roll back and snuff out the homosexual rights movement".{{r|Schultz 2021|p=7}}
The campaign for Measure 9 occurred in the midst of national discourse around "family values" and an economic downturn in which incumbent president George H. W. Bush sought to appeal to socially conservative voters. At the 1992 Republican National Convention, conservative commentator Pat Buchanan gave a speech saying, "There is a religious war going on in this country. It is a cultural war [...] this is a war for the soul of America".{{r|Schultz 2021|p=18}} Bush stated his opposition to anti-discrimination laws protecting sexual orientation, while his opponent Bill Clinton expressed support for LGBTQ rights. In response to a question at a campaign event in Portland, Oregon, Clinton defended homosexuals' right to "live their lives and make a contribution to the rest of us".{{r|Schultz 2021|p=18}}
Meanwhile, there was an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate crimes,{{r|Blazak 2022}} threats, and harassment in Oregon, with targets including the Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon, the Cascade AIDS Project, ''Just Out'', the Lesbian Community Project, the Portland chapter of the National Organization for Women, and the Portland Pride Parade.<ref name="LaSalle 2025" />
== Reception == Measure 9 was opposed by Oregon's most prominent newspapers,{{r|Peterson del Mar 2003}} including ''The Oregonian'', which published an eleven-part series of editorials denouncing the measure.{{r|Schultz 2021|p=6}} Opponents of Measure 9 said it was unfairly discriminatory and unconstitutional,{{r|Boxall 1992|name2=Sommerfield 1992}} and that it demonstrated the homophobia and bigotry of its backers.{{r|LaSalle 2025}} Fearing another failure after the first OCA-backed anti-gay measure passed in 1988, opponents of Measure 9 created the No on 9 Campaign, forming a coalition with the goal of defeating the measure.{{R|name=Young 1997|page=5}} More than 100 groups had joined the No on 9 Campaign in August 1992, and by October that number had grown to over 200.<ref name="Turner 1992">{{Cite news|title=CHURCHES OPPOSE GAY BILL|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1992/08/22/churches-oppose-gay-bill/79e0d00f-c610-4cd1-a761-17bcae9f9a4e/|work=The Washington Post|date=1992-08-22|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0190-8286|last=Turner|first=Darrell|archive-url=https://archive.today/20260130053729/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1992/08/22/churches-oppose-gay-bill/79e0d00f-c610-4cd1-a761-17bcae9f9a4e/|archive-date=2026-01-30|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sommerfield 1992" />
Christian groups and leaders were divided on the measure, with some in support and others opposed. The primary proponent of the measure was Oregon Citizens Alliance, a Christian group. Local Christians in support include the Eagle Forum, Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition of America, the evangelical group Concerned Women for America, Carol A. Petrone and Phillip Ramsdell of Oregon Catholics for Life, and some Assemblies of God.{{r|Sommerfield 1992|name2=Voters' Pamphlet 1992}} Out-of-state Christian supporters included Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals in Washington, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention's Christian Life Commission, and Louis Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition.<ref name="Turner 1992" /> However, many Christians opposed the measure, including the state's United Church of Christ, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Metropolitan Community Church, Presbyterian Church, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Society of Friends, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church.<ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992" /> After a Catholic church in Hillsboro was vandalized with homophobic and anti-Catholic messaging, local Catholics began to oppose Measure 9, with some comparing the treatment of gay people to the history of the Oregon Ku Klux Klan harassing and attacking Catholics.<ref name="LaSalle 2025" /><ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992" /><ref name="Western States Center" />
Some Republicans opposed the measure. Some opposed it because they were opposed to homophobia, while others cited a belief in limited government, constitutionalism, and/or the separation of church and state as their primary reason.<ref name="LaSalle 2025" /><ref name="Western States Center" /> Dave Frohnmayer, known as a prominent Oregon Republican, campaigned against Measure 9.{{R|name=LaSalle 2025|page=128}} Other Republican opponents included Vic Atiyeh, Craig Berkman, Neil Bryant, Allan "Punch" Green, then-Senators Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood, Salem City Council member Dave Moss, Norma Paulus, Jack Roberts, and Kenneth Upton.<ref name="LaSalle 2025" /><ref name="Western States Center" /><ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992" /> Log Cabin Oregon, a Republican group, submitted a statement in opposition for the voter's pamphlet.<ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992" /> Some Republicans, such as State Treasurer Tony Meeker, Senator Bob Packwood, and Congressman Bob Smith, attempted to remain "neutral" or changed their stances on the measure during the year prior to the election.<ref name="LaSalle 2025" />
Many business leaders in Oregon were opposed to the measure, with many voicing concern that consumer boycotts of Oregon businesses would hurt the state's economy.<ref name="Western States Center" /> Oregon businesses and leaders who voiced opposition included Powell's Books and US West Communications.<ref name="Boxall 1992" /> Labor groups like the Oregon AFL–CIO and Oregon Public Employees Union were also opposed,<ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992" /> as were some educators and librarians, such as Jane Howard of the Oregon Federation of Teachers, Education and Health Professionals;<ref name="Sommerfield 1992">{{Cite news|title=Ore. Schools in Eye of Storm Over Anti-Gay Measure|url=https://www.edweek.org/education/ore-schools-in-eye-of-storm-over-anti-gay-measure/1992/10|work=Education Week|date=1992-10-21|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0277-4232|language=en|first=Meg|last=Sommerfeld}}</ref> Karen Famous of the Oregon Education Association; and Deborah Jacobs of the Oregon Library Association.<ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992" /> Other organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Lawyers Guild,<ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992" /> and the Oregon Psychiatric Association, released statements opposing it.<ref name="LaSalle 2025" /> The Portland Gay Men's Chorus toured in protest of Measure 9,{{r|Holm 2024|Nicola 2013}} and the grunge rock band Nirvana played a benefit concert titled "No on #9".{{r|Allman 1993}}
== Legacy == [[File:(1993) March on Washington for LGB Equal Rights and Liberation -- 49.jpg|thumb|Banners and signs celebrating the defeat of Measure 9 at the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation, April 1993]]
Even though Measure 9 failed, the campaign was described as divisive and politically polarizing, and was expected to have a negative impact on the state.{{r|Young 1997}} Many LGBTQ people in Oregon said that they were distressed or afraid because of it.{{r|Young 1997|page=160|Smith 2023}} The campaign against Measure 9 was an early victory for the LGBTQ movement in the United States,{{r|Stone 2024}} and formed the basis of much of the gay rights movement in Oregon, including the organization Basic Rights Oregon.<ref name="Wentz 1999" />
Mabon and the OCA would go on to back additional anti-LGBTQ initiatives at the state and local level, which were often referred to as "the son of 9".{{r|Stone 2024}} These included the 1994 Oregon Ballot Measure 13, which would have prevented schools from using materials that were deemed to "legitimize homosexuality", and a second Oregon Ballot Measure 9 in 2000, which would have prohibited public schools in Oregon from "encouraging, promoting, or sanctioning homosexual and bisexual behaviors".{{r|Blazak 2022}} While these statewide measures failed, the OCA succeeded in sponsoring anti-LGBTQ initiatives in parts of Oregon where a majority of voters had supported Measure 9. Such local measures were passed in Josephine, Douglas, Linn, and Klamath counties, as well as in Canby and Junction City.{{r|Peterson del Mar 2003}} The Oregon Legislative Assembly overruled these local measures in 1993 with the passage of Oregon House Bill 3500, which barred municipalities from passing laws that would "single out citizens or groups of citizens on account of sexual orientation".{{r|Blazak 2022}} HB 3500 was upheld by the Oregon Supreme Court in 1995.{{r|Blazak 2022}}
== See also == {{Portal|LGBTQ|Oregon }} * {{annotated link|Ballot Measure 9|''Ballot Measure 9''}} * {{annotated link|1978 California Proposition 6}} * {{annotated link|2008 California Proposition 8}} * {{annotated link|Gay agenda}} * List of Oregon ballot measures * List of U.S. ballot initiatives to repeal LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws * Opposition to LGBTQ rights * {{annotated link|Romer v. Evans|''Romer v. Evans''}}
== References == <references>
<ref name="Allman 1993">{{Cite news |last=Allman |first=Kevin |date=February 9, 1993 |title=The dark side of Kurt Cobain |page=39 |work=The Advocate |publisher=Pride Media |issue=622 |url=https://kevinallman.typepad.com/ARTICLES/MAGAZINES/Advo-Cobain.pdf |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="Blazak 2022">{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Blazak |first=Randy |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Oregon Citizens Alliance |encyclopedia=The Oregon Encyclopedia |publisher=Oregon Historical Society |url=https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/oregon_citizens_alliance/#.YkSzh-jMKHt |access-date=January 29, 2026}}</ref>
<ref name="Blue Book p21">{{cite web |title=Initiative, Referendum and Recall |date=n.d. |work=Oregon Blue Book |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State |url=https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Documents/elections/initiative.pdf |format= |page=21 |accessdate=November 7, 2022}}</ref>
<ref name="Boxall 1992">{{Cite web |last=Boxall |first=Bettina |date=October 22, 1992 |title=Battle Lines Drawn Over Oregon's Anti-Gay Measure |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-22-mn-918-story.html |access-date=January 28, 2026 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |url-access=limited}}</ref>
<ref name="Holm 2024">{{Cite web |last=Holm |first=Samantha |date=July 3, 2024 |title=Portland Gay Men's Chorus celebrates 45 years of music and activism |url=https://katu.com/features/portland-gay-mens-chorus-celebrates-45-years-of-music-and-activism-pride-month-inclusive-china-gary-coleman-pgmc-mark-richards-steeplejack-metropolitan-community-church-womens-harvey-milk-steve-fulmer |publisher=KATU |publication-place=Portland, Ore. |access-date=January 26, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
<ref name="Lang 2022">{{cite web |last=Lang |first=Melissa |date=October 26, 2022 |title=Opinion: Remembering the fight against Ballot Measure 9 |website=Street Roots |url=https://www.streetroots.org/news/2022/10/26/remembering-fight-against-ballot-measure-9 |access-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106103646/https://www.streetroots.org/news/2022/10/26/remembering-fight-against-ballot-measure-9 |archive-date=November 6, 2022}}</ref>
<ref name="LaSalle 2025">{{Cite thesis |last=LaSalle |first=Patrick |date=2025 |title=The Rainbow War: Ballot Measure 9 and the Fight Over Gay Rights in Oregon |degree=M.A. |publisher=Portland State University |series=Dissertations and Theses |doi=10.15760/etd.3988 |doi-access=free |id=Paper 6896}}</ref>
<ref name="Nicola 2013">{{Cite web |last=Nicola |first=George T. |date=April 10, 2013 |title=Oregon Anti-Gay Ballot Measures |url=https://www.glapn.org/6013OregonAntiGayMeasures.html |website=GLAPN.org |publisher=Oregon Queer History Collective |access-date=January 26, 2026}}</ref>
<ref name="Peterson del Mar 2003">{{cite book |last1=Peterson del Mar |first1=David |date=2003 |title=Oregon's Promise: An Interpretive History |publisher=Oregon State University Press |location=Corvallis |isbn=978-0-8707-1558-7 |pages=264–265 |edition=1st |url=https://archive.org/details/oregonspromisein0000pete/page/264/mode/1up?view=theater |url-access=registration |via=the Internet Archive}}</ref>
<ref name="Pierceson p81">{{cite book |last1=Pierceson |first1=Jason |date=2019 |chapter=Ballot Measures |editor1-last=Pierceson |editor1-first=Jason |title=LGBTQ Americans in the U.S. Political System: An Encyclopedia of Activists, Voters, Candidates, and Officeholders |volume=1 |publisher=ABC-Clio |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |isbn=978-1-4408-5277-0 |page=81 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zabOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA80 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
<ref name="Schultz 2021">{{cite journal |last1=Schultz |first1=William |date=Spring 2021 |title=The Rise and Fall of 'No Special Rights' |journal=Oregon Historical Quarterly |issn=2329-3780 |volume=122 |issue=1 |pages=6–37 |doi=10.1353/ohq.2021.0013 |jstor=10.5403/oregonhistq.122.1.0006 |url=https://www.ohs.org/oregon-historical-quarterly/upload/Schultz_Rise-and-Fall-of-No-Special-Rights_OHQ-122_1_Spring-2021_web.pdf}}</ref>
<ref name="Smith 2023">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Marty |date=October 4, 2023 |title=Lon Mabon Terrified Portlanders With Ballot Measures but Now Sells Them Gourmet Salsa |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/10/04/lon-mabon-terrified-portlanders-with-ballot-measures-but-now-sells-them-gourmet-salsa/ |website=Willamette Week |publication-place=Portland, Ore. |access-date=January 28, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
<ref name="Staggenborg 2016">{{cite book |last1=Staggenborg |first1=Suzanne |date=2016 |title=Social Movements |publisher=Oxford University Press |publication-place=New York |isbn=978-0-1993-6359-9 |pages=157–158 |edition=2nd |chapter=American Right-Wing Movements |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AqdBCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA157 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
<ref name="Stone 2024">{{cite book |last1=Stone |first1=Amy L. |date=2024 |chapter=Anti-LGBTQ Ballot Initiatives (and LGBTQ Activism) |editor-last1=Goldberg |editor-first1=Abbie E. |title=The Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ+ Studies |edition=2nd |language=en |publication-place=Thousand Oaks, Calif. |publisher=Sage Publishing |page=102 |isbn=978-1-0718-9140-7 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KlLqEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA100 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
<ref name="Summers p96">{{cite book |editor1-last=Summers |editor1-first=Claude |date=2012|title=The Queer Encyclopedia of Film and Television |publisher=Cleis Press |location=San Francisco, Calif. |isbn=978-1-5734-4882-6 |page=96 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwFuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA96 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
<ref name="Voters' Pamphlet 1992">{{cite web |title=Voters' Pamphlet: State of Oregon General Election November 3, 1992 |orig-date=1992 |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State |others=Compiled and distributed by Phil Keisling |pages=93–127 |url=http://www.co.benton.or.us/admin/elections/documents/archives/1990s/e92g/e92g_svp.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928235731/http://www.co.benton.or.us/admin/elections/documents/archives/1990s/e92g/e92g_svp.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |via=Benton County Elections Division}}</ref>
<ref name="Wentz 1999">{{cite news |last=Wentz |first=Patty |date=1999 |title=1992 {{!}} Homophobia hits home |url=http://www.wweek.com/html/25-1992.html#oca |work=Willamette Week |issn=2640-5857 |publication-place=Portland, Ore. |series=25th Anniversary Issue |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105094929/http://www.wweek.com/html/25-1992.html#oca |archive-date=January 5, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Western States Center">{{Cite web |author=<!--anonymous author(s)--> |title=18: Republicans Against Prejudice |date=n.d. |url=https://noon9remembered.org/stories/18-republicans-against-9/ |access-date=January 28, 2026 |website=No on 9 Remembered |publisher=Western States Center}}</ref>
<ref name="Young 1997">{{Cite thesis |last=Young |first=Patricia |date=1997 |title=Measure 9: Oregon's 1992 Anti-Gay Initiative |degree=M.A. |publisher=Portland State University |series=Dissertations and Theses |doi=10.15760/etd.8142 |doi-access=free |id=Paper 6282}}</ref>
</references>
==Further reading== * {{cite web |author=<!--anonymous author(s)--> |date=n.d. |title=No on 9 Remembered |url=https://noon9remembered.org/ |publisher=Western States Center |publication-place=Portland, Ore.}} * {{cite book |last=Stein |first=Arlene |date=2001 |author-link=Arlene Stein |title=The Stranger Next Door: The Story of a Small Community's Battle Over Sex, Faith, and Civil Rights |publisher=Beacon Press |location=Boston, Mass. |isbn=978-0-8070-7952-2}} * {{cite book |last=Stone |first=Amy L. |date=2012 |title=Gay Rights at the Ballot Box |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |location=Minneapolis |isbn=978-0-8166-7547-0}}
{{Oregon legislation}}
Category:LGBTQ law in the United States Category:1992 Oregon ballot measures Category:1992 in LGBTQ history Category:LGBTQ history in Oregon Category:Initiatives in the United States