Top Oregon Republicans gathering at
this weekend's Dorchester Conference for the first time endorsed gay
marriage.
The annual gathering celebrated its
fiftieth anniversary this weekend with passage of a resolution in
favor of repealing Oregon's 2004 voter-approved constitutional
amendment which limits marriage to heterosexual unions.
Attendees overwhelmingly (233 to 162)
approved the resolution on Saturday.
Applauding the vote was Dan Occhipinti
of Freedom Oregon, a Republican group formed earlier this year which
supports repeal of the state's ban.
(Related: Jason
Collins to help inaugurate GOP-inclusive Oregon gay marriage group.)
“The freedom to marry is consistent
with the Republican values of freedom, commitment and personal
responsibility,” Occhipinti, a Portland attorney, said in a
statement. “If you can pay taxes and fight for your country, you
should be able to marry the person you love.”
Marriage equality advocates in Oregon
have suspended a campaign to put the issue on the November ballot
pending a ruling before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
– which has jurisdiction over Oregon – in a case challenging a
similar ban in Nevada.
(Related: Oregon
gay marriage group suspends ballot campaign.)