The Defense of Marriage Coalition (sometimes styled Oregon Defense of Marriage Coalition to distinguish itself from similar organizations in other states) is a citizens' political organization support the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It was organized in 2004 by the Oregon Family Council as a campaign first to place Oregon Ballot Measure 36 (2004) before the voters by initiative petition, and then once signatures were collected, as a campaign for its passage. The organization formed a coalition of 1,500 churches and collected a record 244,000 signatures to place the amendment on the ballot.