Marriage equality group campaigns in Bend

June is Gay Pride Month and Oregon United for Marriage was in Bend and four other cities to campaign Saturday.

Organizers signed up volunteers to attend speaking engagements and to help collect thousands of signatures to put a marriage equality measure on the ballot in November 2014.

Bend City Councilor Jodie Barram spoke out on the issue, relating it to when states outlawed interracial marriages.

“(I am) living proof of someone who used to not agree and is now in a place of much more understanding,” Barram said.

Gus Wendel, organizer for Oregon United for Marriage, said, “All different members of the community are getting involved and are showing more support.”

“So I think the conversation has been tough,” Wendel said, “but it’s definitely looking very good.”

Opponents, like the Oregon Family Council, say allowing sex couples to wed would have a negative impact on society.