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."