Daniel Pokorney, Oregon Mayor, Apologizes For Anti-Gay Marriage Posts On Facebook

An Oregon mayor is apologizing after slamming neighboring Washington for becoming the latest U.S. state to approve same- marriage.

As The La Grande Observer is reporting, La Grande Mayor Daniel Pokorney called Washington the "latest state to transition to Sodom and Gomorrah" on his Facebook wall. In a second posting, he criticized New Jersey for continuing what he called the "abomination of same-sex unions," despite the fact that Governor Chris Christie vetoed his state's marriage equality bill.

After noting that his "intent was not to be hurtful," Pokorney told a forum of about 150 people Monday that he simply wanted to express himself on important issues. "I understand there is a right way and a wrong way to address the issues," he added.

Local residents quickly responded to Pokorney's Facebook postings, some even calling for his resignation. A group of Eastern Oregon University students, many of them affiliated with the school's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group, had asked for a meeting with the mayor after the comments were made.

"I appreciate the apology, but when I look at the mayor of La Grande, I see the representation of La Grande," student Michael Cooper is quoted by the Associated Press as saying. "If I work for a bank and go out and state my opinions in the street, I know I'm representing my company."

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[BurrRobson]

01:13 AM on 04/15/2012

Obama says he is not for gay marriage; where's the hate articles about him?

[dragon69]

10:40 PM on 04/01/2012

why is it republicans only apologize after their bigotry and hatred have caused them a back lash. just pitiful

[racmd]

11:04 AM on 02/26/2012

Mr. Pokorney...you need to resign. You are the same person who would sell people on the auction block. You would burn "witches" at the stake and turn your back on your brother.
It is really too bad that you have not read the entire story of Sodom and Gomorah you might find a bit more information about what really happened..and now what you believe you have been told.
You, sir, learned hatred well. I wonder what do you really think about blacks, asians, hispanics and other racial minorities if you could be so blatantly hateful in a posting.
See, as a board certified psychiatrist, I can only believe that Freud was right...you did not make a mistake...nor it is totally how you feel...it is the tip of the iceberg and your true inner self.
You must resign....for "I am sorry" is the most overused phrase in the English language with no consequences...just as if you went to confession...only this time the absolution will NOT happen. You are hateful and truly do not deserve your position.

[BurrRobson]

01:17 AM on 04/15/2012

So, this guy is against gay marriage, and that with your great sense of logic means he's basically against anything decent? And you say you're a state certified psychiatrist? Really? Then am I to assume you think Obama is a bigot about every little thing you think is right now? Would you tell him he learned hatred well? Are you kidding me? It is people like you who are spewing hatred. I am for gay marriage, but I unlike kool-aid drinking pseudo psychiatrists do not make blanket and really stupid assumptions. Go have another swig of kool-aid. You sir, are a mar on your profession, if indeed you are a psychiatrist.

[B Lumpkins]

07:32 PM on 02/25/2012

I find it interesting when bible humpers swears homosexuality is what S&G was all about when the bible itself says the whole town, gay and straight alike, was steeped in sin. In other words, it wasn't just the gays who brought the house down... it was also the people who worshiped false gods, gambled, slept with their family members and etc.

Christians really need to stop referring to S&G when talking about homosexuality because it only shows other people you know nothing about the story of S&G.

[GDWhiteman]

06:29 PM on 02/26/2012

At least it makes a good story to explain the asteriod strike when you don't know any better - some Jewish Pat Robertson claimed it was God smiting sinner and they printed it.

[rockysparks]

09:29 AM on 02/25/2012

I'm sorry but this guy isn't sorry about making the comments, probably while unwinding at his computer with his third whiskey sour. He's just having morning-after regrets, like many closeted politicians often do.

He's a bigot, a homophobe and should be removed from office at the next available opportunity.

[RylandCsmith]

09:19 PM on 02/26/2012

I was thinking the exact same thing. Being sorry that he said something, that could possibly make him loose his job, and being sorry that he said something that so deeply hurt the members of his community and LGBT persons, as well as their supporters, around this country; and now that it's been as publicized as it has been, the world community, is a different thing.

[rockysparks]

09:49 PM on 02/26/2012

Like most people who do these things, he's mostly sorry he got caught.

[Jampa]

02:20 AM on 02/25/2012

People fought just as repulsively against interracial marriage. In fact, it wasn't until 2003, ironically, that Alabama legalized interracial marriage for the first time since spreading the hate back in the day. And Virginia didn't legalize it until 2007.

[Citizen Change]

02:09 AM on 02/25/2012

If Mayor Pokorney continues this rant-lke behavior I will simply take my business elsewhere within the state. That was real small town concave thinking on his part. He obviously seems too comfortable in his easy chair 'traditional' life and could care less about real difference, or making one.

[BurrRobson]

01:20 AM on 04/15/2012

Not that is a REAL threat. La Grande is the hub of Oregon commerce. I admire people who make such impressive threats. PS, I take it real difference means only agreeing with you?

[trilingual]

12:47 AM on 02/25/2012

Oregon probably won't be far behind California and Washington in legalizing same-sex marriage. Then will this guy turn into a pillar of salt? I hope they sell tickets for that. . .

[SteveDenver]

03:28 AM on 02/26/2012

We'll just put him in a pasture and let the cows lick away.

[FlamingLibrul]

06:26 PM on 02/26/2012

There's an image!

[BurrRobson]

01:21 AM on 04/15/2012

Obama said he's against gay marriage. Remember that? I'm awaiting your hate spew against him. OR is your outrage selective? What a shock if so.

[lambdin1]

07:50 PM on 02/24/2012

Another non-apology?!? I guess that we can begin to apologize for being stupid now?

[AngryCitizen]

05:02 PM on 02/24/2012

Lord Jesus, save me from your followers!

[Fourcents]

09:19 PM on 02/24/2012

I'm straight but your great, LOL ...............you have friends in low places, LOL

[AngryCitizen]

11:51 PM on 02/24/2012

and one or two in very high places.....:)

[ESJ247]

04:32 PM on 02/24/2012

Sounds like a Mayor who only cares about some people in Oregon, not all.

[BurrRobson]

01:22 AM on 04/15/2012

Take a logic class. Please.

[MartiniVirtuoso]

03:37 PM on 02/24/2012

I'm so tired of "loving Christians" who pick up a bible and then instead of actually reading it, and getting the true meaning, they use it to smack people around whom they see as unlike them. I think they've missed the point.

[Fourcents]

09:27 PM on 02/24/2012

Right ON! These are the people who got rid of Jesus as fast as possible then hi-jacked his teachings for hatefull purposes.

Jesus might be waiting for these Neanderthals to "evolve" out of the human races before coming back. That is why the Conservatives are so concerned about women's choice. They need all the potential throw-backs they can get. Evolution is on the march.

Way more serious about this than it sounds. Put "left right political diagram" in Google and look for orange/blue chart. Print and read long and slow. There are TWO of US.

[helenwheels74]

03:02 PM on 02/24/2012

umm... am i missing something here? where was the apology? i see nothing here that even vaguely resembles an apology.

[Heath Dacus]

11:08 PM on 02/24/2012

I don't think an apology was even necessary. Why does everyone have to apologize for not agreeing with, or supporting what they believe to be wrong? I thought free speech, and freedom of expression were inalienable rights.

[helenwheels74]

11:54 PM on 02/24/2012

he's totally entitled to his beliefs... i would never deny him that, but would you agree that, as a mayor, going on facebook and saying 'ewww! icky!' about gay marriage is a tad unprofessional and careless? (i'm not quoting his words, obviously, just his sentiment). i just hate seeing half-assed, back-pedaling apologies. if you meant it, stand by it... if you didn't mean it, give a reasonable explanation as to why it came out of your mouth. and, heath, surely you understand that when a public figure goes on a rant it's going to get attention. you and i can pretty much say what we like.

[SteveDenver]

03:32 AM on 02/26/2012

You're right, but those who choose a job of public service usually weigh their words.

[PrunellaC]

02:48 PM on 02/24/2012

Just goes to show you that not everyone in Oregon is cool.

[BurrRobson]

01:24 AM on 04/15/2012

Nope, we have a mayor here in Portland who uhh messes with teenagers in the City Hall Bathroom. But he has liberal beliefs, so that other part is okay.

[Birdman 49]

11:57 AM on 02/24/2012

He only back-pedaled because he know how bad he will get hit on the comments. He is toast now. Come election time as long as someone brings it up, he will be toast.