The Portland Timbers and the Portland
Thorns FC have backed a proposed initiative that seeks to repeal the
state's 2004 gay marriage ban and legalize such unions.
Peregrine Sports, which owns the soccer
clubs, made its endorsement in a 30-second video released through the
Oregon United for Marriage campaign.
“On behalf of the Portland Timbers
and the Portland Thorns and our owner Merritt Paulson, we are proud
today to endorse Oregon United for Marriage's efforts to extend the
right to marriage to all loving and committed couples,” COO Mike
Golub said in the video. “We believe it's time for Oregon to
recognize this fundamental right and we hope you will join us, the
Timbers and Thorns, and affirm this right to marry at the ballot next
November.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
Supporters began collecting signatures
in August and have until next summer to collect the 116,284 valid
signatures needed to qualify for the November 2014 ballot.
(Related: Oregon
gay marriage measure gathers one-third of signatures in 12 days.)
If the measure is approved next year,
Oregon would make history as the first state to repeal a
constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual couples.