Oregon Republicans Endorse Gay Marriage
- By
- Carlos Santoscoy
- | March 09, 2014
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.)