(Salem, Oregon) Opponents of two Oregon LGBT rights laws are giving up their fight to have a repeal measure placed on November’s ballot, but say they may try to have it placed before voters in 2010.

One would allow same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples unable to marry to form legally recognized partnerships. The other bars discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people in housing, employment, public accommodation, education and public services statewide.

Socially conservative groups immediately challenged the partnership law in court, alleging it violated Oregon’s constitution which bars same-sex marriage.

In February a federal judge ruled the law was not unconstitutional and it went into effect. (story)  The anti-discrimination law went into effect in January.

The conservative groups then began a petition drive to have both laws placed on the ballot. With only a few weeks left before the July 3 deadline for turning in petitions the groups admit they do not have enough names to qualify.

Even though the repeal effort has failed for 2008, the groups say they now are looking toward 2010.

They have appealed the February ruling to a three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit. The case will be heard July 8.

Oregon’s largest LGBT civil rights organization believes the panel will uphold the February ruling.

Under the partnership law, couples who register would be guaranteed the right to visit partners in hospital and make medical decisions, file joint state tax returns, and have joint health insurance plans or take sick leave to care for their partners.

The law was passed after a legal battle for gay marriage failed.

The issue of same-sex marriage in the state arose in March 2004 when Multnomah County began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. 

Soon after, the county was ordered to stop, but not before 3,000 marriage licenses had been granted. 

The constitutional amendment, known as Measure 36, was passed that November.

In 2005 the state Supreme Court ruled the amendment legal and efforts to enact the domestic partner registry began.