Portland, Ore — Today, the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, and team Owner/President Merritt Paulson announced their endorsement of the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative. The initiative would make it legal for same-sex couples to marry in Oregon.
This announcement marks the first major U.S. professional sports teams to endorse a same-sex marriage ballot campaign.
“We could not be more thrilled to have the early and strong support of these iconic and beloved teams,” said Jeana Frazzini, chair of Oregon United for Marriage, the coalition working to put the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative on the November 2014 ballot. “Oregon is uniting to affirm the freedom to marry at the ballot next November, and we are proud to have the Timbers, Thorns FC, and Merritt Paulson join our coalition as leaders among sports organizations.”
“We are proud to support Oregon United for Marriage and its efforts to secure the freedom to marry for all Oregonians next November,” Paulson said.
Team COO Mike Golub announced the endorsement in a brief video released on Oregon United for Marriage’s Youtube page. See video above.
We believe it’s time for Oregon to recognize this fundamental right,” Golub says in the video. “And we hope you will join us at the Timbers and Thorns, and affirm this right to marry at the ballot next November.”
