Oregon Pols, Activists Applaud Obama Gay Marriage Announcement

WWeek:

<img src="http://www.wweek.com/portland/imgs/media.images/2473/450px-Poster-sized_portrait_of_Barack_Obama.t2.jpg"/>

Reactions are rolling in after President Barack Obama's statement to ABC News earlier today that he supports full marriage rights for same-sex couples. 

Obama's election-year shift on the still-controversial issue comes as a vindication to Oregon's equal-marriage advocates.

Basic Rights Oregon executive director Jenna Frazzini told <span>WW: </span>

Very exciting. <span>This is the first U.S. President to open his heart to gay marriage</span>. It’s an incredible testament to how far we’ve come. I would add that the President has been on a journey—that like many Oregonians that we’ve been talking to and supporting—to marriage equality. Like those Oregonians, he’s heard stories and he’s come to realize they want to marry for the same reasons he and his wife wanted to marry.

Politicians, too, are weighing in.

"<span>Great Fricking News!</span>" Portland Mayor Sam Adams wrote on Twitter.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) released the following statement:

I applaud President Obama for voicing his support for marriage equality. This is an issue of <span>fundamental fairness</span> for the men and women who seek to create a family with the person they love. I look forward to working with our President to make this vision of full equality a reality.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon), the state's newest member of Congress, also released a statement:

I applaud President Obama for his announcement today supporting gay marriage. Marriage equality is a fundamental civil rights issue, and it is more important than ever that we stand united. <span>This is an historic day for the LGBTQ community</span> and our nation as a whole. Well done, Mr. President!

We'll update this post as more reactions arrive.

<span>— Reporting by Cody Newton</span>

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