Denis C. Theriault of the Portland Mercury reports that the Portland Trail Blazers have joined Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers and the National Women's Soccer League's Portland Thorns in publicly endorsing a same-sex marriage ballot initiative.

Blazers spokesman Michael Lewellen gave this statement to the paper.

"The Portland Trail Blazers are in support of the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection ballot initiative. We do so as believers in individual choice as a fundamental right of all people."

Theriault writes...

The Trail Blazers are now the biggest pro sports team, apparently the first from a big four pro league, to formally endorse a marriage equality ballot measure.

Sunnivie Brydum of Advocate.com has more information on the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection initiative, which was launched in February 2013.

Oregon could become the next state to approve marriage equality by popular vote, if a campaign launched this morning by Oregon United for Marriage is successful. The newly formed organization, backed by Basic Rights Oregon, this morning took its first step toward putting marriage equality before Oregon voters, reports Erin Rook at PQ Monthly. The campaign established a petition committee that seeks to gather enough signatures to qualify the "Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Act" for the Oregon ballot in November 2014. The legislation would dismantle Oregon's constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, approved by voters in 2004, according to PQ Monthly. "We have worked tirelessly to build support for marriage equality in Oregon, to engage our community and our allies - and now it's time to take the next step in winning the freedom to marry for all Oregonians," said Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Jeana Frazzini in a statement. "Today, we are inviting our partners and supporters to take this next step with us: To sign the sponsorship petition, and commit to uniting Oregon in support of the freedom to marry for all Oregonians."

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter