"Protect Marriage Oregon" is responding to efforts from "Basic Rights Oregon" to put a gay marriage vote on the November 2014 ballot. 

The group says traditional marriage is the foundation of society and has served Oregon well since its inception in 1859. 

Teresa Harke says a 2004 statewide initiative defining marriage as between a man and woman passed by 57% of the vote, but a recent poll shows 54% of Oregonians support the idea of same-sex marriage.

"That argument really bothers me- I have very close gay friends and this is not an issue in our friendship and our relationship. I see part of the shift you do see in the polls; a lot of name calling, a lot of words like 'bigot."

Basic Rights Oregon held a pro-gay marriage rally  in Bend Thursday at the Environmental Center.  They held similar events throughout the state as part of a kick-off to the campaign.