DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL

Oregon law provides that "practices of discrimination against any of its inhabitants because of race, religion, color, sex marital status, national origin, age or disability are a matter of state concern..." ORS 659.20; and that Oregon's Civil Rights laws are "to insure human dignity of all people within this state..." ORS 659.022. All persons are "entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any place of public accommodation..." ORS 30.670. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971) that individuals have a First Amendment constitutional right to wear clothing which displays writing or designs. The Supreme Court has also long recognized and protected the individual's right to freedom of association. In Oregon, any person unconstitutionally discriminated against by a place of public accommodation may file a complaint with the Bureau of Labor and Industries, ORS 659.045, or ran bring suit to recover compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees, costs, and disbursements. ORS 30.680.