Updated November 17, 2008
Although the title of this post remains the same (referring to Prop 8), I will be shifting the focus of this and future posts away from a focus on Proposition 8 and towards “marriage equality.” “Marriage Equality” is a better representation of what is occurring within the US and around the world post-Proposition 8.
These are the individuals and groups who deserve to be honored for their commitment to civil rights and justice. They have contributed to the support of marriage equality, the No on Prop 8 campaign, the effort to defeat anti-gay ballot measures in Arizona, Florida and Arkansas, and the effort to repeal Prop 8 (in no particular order):
- Keith Olbermann (video)
The most special recognition goes out to Keith Olbermann for his Special Comment on “Countdown,” November 10th, on MSNBC. Thank you MSNBC for allowing him a voice. Thank you Keith. Thank you so much.
And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.
- Brad Pitt – $100,000
Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn’t harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8.
- California Teacher’s Association, $1,312,998
- David Geffen, Dreamworks Studios, $100,000
- Jeffrey Katzenberg, Dreamworks Studios, $25,000
- TR Knight, actor, (Grey’s Anatomy), $100,000
- Pete Wentz and Fall Out Boy, $50,000
- George Lucas, $50,000
- Lucas Films, $50,000
- Chelsea Handler (E! talk-show host, Chelsea Lately), $5,000 (see Chelsea’s video below)
- Hotel Worker’s Union, $100,000
- Apple, $100,000
- Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Google founders, $140,000
- Levi Strauss, $25,000
- PG&E, $250,000
- Ellen DeGeneres, $100,000 (airtime for No on Prop 8 PSA)
- David Hyde Pierce, actor (Frasier), $40,000
- Ron Burkle, former owner Ralph’s supermarket chain, billionaire, straight – hosted a gala fund-raiser at his Beverley Hills home to raise $3.9 million dollars – minimum $1,000 to attend dinner.
- GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), $172,081
- Bridget Fonda, actor, $200
- Jason Tam, actor (One Life to Live), $100
- Mary McCormack, actor (In Plain Sight), $200
- Gus Van Sant, director, $2,500
- Greg Berlanti, executive producer (Brothers & Sisters), $5,000
- George Takei, actor (Star Trek), $2,600
- Jonathan Murray, co-creator and executive producer of “The Real World”, $10,000
- Stephen Speilberg & Kate Capshaw, $101,000
- Pauley Perrette, actor (NCIS), $3,000
- Larry Maiman, owner Mani’s on Fairfax, $500
- Bruce Bastian, founder WordPerfect software, $1,000,000
- Stephen Bing, producer, $500,000
- Robert W. Wilson, $1,200,000
- David Bohnett, lawyer, $1,100,000
- David Maltz, $1,000,000
- John Stryker, $1,000,000
- Fred Eychaner, $675,000
- WIlliamson Capital, LP, $570,000
- Center Advocacy Project Issues PAC, $420,655
- Human Rights Campaign, $409,097
- LA Gay & Lesbian Services Center, $350,048
- Gill Action Fund, $350,000
- The San Francisco Foundation, $258,907
- CA State Council of Service Employees, $250,000
- James C Hormel, $250,000
- Esmond V Harmsworth, $225,000
- National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, $212,998
- National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, Inc., $187,675
- Equality California (Sponsor), $187,107
- David Ring, $105,416
- Democratic State Central Committee, $104,968
- Susan Orr, $102,186
- Robert Haas, $100,500
- Eugene La Pietra, Circus Disco, $100,000
- Henry Van Ameringen, $100,000
- Horizons Foundation, $100,000
- John August, $100,000
- Jonathan Lewis, $100,00
- Michael Huffington, $100,000
- Peter Lewis, The Progressive Group, $100,000
- SEIU General Fund, $100,000
- SEIU United Healthcare Workers West Political Issues Committee, $100,000
- Unite Here TIP State and Local Fund, $100,000
- Proteus Funds Civil Marriage Collaborative, $80,000
- ACLU of Northern California, $113,720
- Adam Lewis, $75,000
- Chuck WIlliams, $75,000
- Committee for a New Economy, $60,000
- Jennifer Rainin & The Rainin Foundation, $102,500
- Leonie A Walker, $51,000
- Carrie Farrell, Google, $50,360
- Anita May Rosenstein, $50,000
- CA Community Foundation Endowment, $50,000
- Frank Pond, $50,000
- James Johnson, $50,000
- Kate O’Hanlan, $50,000
- Kathy Levinson, $50,000
- Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Lyons, Greewood & Harley, $50,000
- M Quinn Delaney, Akonadi Foundation, $50,000
- National Center for Lesbian Rights, $50,000
- Service Employees International Union Local 1000 CA State Employees Association Issues PAC, $50,000
- Thomas Bombardier, MD, $50,000
- CA Nurses Association, $40,000
- Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Action Network CA PAC, $29,638
- Democratic National Committee Federal Fund, $25,000
- Mayor’s Committee for Government Excellence and Accountability, $25,000
- My partner and I, $150 🙂
In addition to these big-name & big-dollar donors (I am definitely not including myself in the “big dollar’ category), thousands of individual donors, both gay and staight gave money to defeat Prop 8. To all of you who are not included here, every dollar helped and continues to help. Thank you.
Hundreds of other celebrities and influential citizens have donated time, money and talent to help raise money for the No on Prop 8 campaign, have come out publicly to support the defeat of Prop 8 at possible risk to their careers, and have continued the struggle since Prop 8 was passed… including, in no particular order:
- Antonio Villariagosa, Mayor of Los Angeles
[at the LA Protest on Saturday, November 15th – he had to leave the site of one of the many sites of wild fires in Southern California to make it to the rally. He returned to the fire site immediately after his speech] Some have said, ‘Well, Mr. Villaeriagosa, I don’t like your position on Proposition 8.’ They said, ‘Who are you to get involved in this issue? Well I think we got elected to stand up for a constitution. I think we got elected to stand up for the ideal that in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of Got, thou shall not discriminate! (long applause). You know, I didn’t live – none of us did – during the times of Jesus. But I’d like to believe that the Jesus I love, the Jesus I pray to, didn’t just talk about being a shepherd, he knew that the role of the shepherd was to bring the flock in. All of the flock. Every one of us.
You can’t deny a fundamental right just because a majority says so.
We come today to begin a conversation because it’s not just gonna be about demonstrations. It’s not just gonna be about the Internet. We’re gonna have conversations in our neighborhoods, in our schools in our churches… in city halls and halls of congress, in the legislature. We’re gonna take every opportunity to begin that conversation all the way to The White House!
Every oe of us here has to commit to going back home, to talking to our friends and family. This is not about a march on November 15. This is not about the anger and the pain and the disappointment that we all feel just a few short days after this election. We believe in this great state, we believe in this great America. We believe that all things are possible and we will continue our fight until every one of us has the right, the fundamental right, to marry, to live in liberty and freedom, to be able to participate. To have the same civil rights that we expect in this country we love so much.
- David Dean Bottrell, actor, “Boston Legal”
[on the way to the LA Protest on Saturday, November 15th] I don’t love crowds but I’m willing to go down and brave it today because I really do believe that Prop. 8 has got to be repealed. I am very proud not only of the gay community but of the straight community that has come out to support this. It is very, very important that the people of California know what happened: a very large group of people lost their civil rights and it was done in a popular vote which is not how we do things in this country. This is a judicial issue and it should be settled in the courts the way that all civil rights issues are settled.
- Marissa Jaret Winokur, actor:
[at the LA Protest on Saturday, November 15th] I am here to support all of you and to support my sun in marrying a man someday. He’s only three months old, but we’re hoping!
- Ricki Lake, actor & talk show host:
[at the LA Protest on Saturday, November 15th] There’s a line that I say (in the first “Hairspray” movie) “I wish I was dark-skinned. Well today, I wish I was gay! I’m thrilled to be here to show my support.
- Lucy Lawless, actor, “Xena: Warrior Princess” (can I just say, YAY!! Go Lucy).
[at the LA Protest on Saturday, November 15th] We rode the soul train (subway) in this morning and it was so great with everybody piling in at each station, it was really exciting. There’s an old Chinese saying which is: ‘Do not fear, the enemy is outside the walls. Fear the wall builders.’ But can you feel that wall coming down? And you know what” They will fight back with their big bag of dirty tricks but keep spreading the love and doing the right thing… Be warriors for equality!
- John J. Duran, West Hollywood City Councilman
I’m pleasantly surprised and I’ll tell you why. A lot of these kids, and I call them My kids, they didn’t experience the battle during the AIDS epidemic in the 80s. They were children or not even born yet. This is sort of the first time that they’ve felt the sting of some sort of state-sponsored oppression. Half the people in this state just told them they belong as second-class citizens. That’s very upsetting. I guess for some of the old-timers like myself, this is the nature of the game: three steps forward, two back. But for them, this is the first time they’ve had the back of the hand come across them and they;ve responded as I did when I was their age. So out of these ranks is the future of the gay and lesbian community of Southern California. It’s absolutely thrilling.
- Darryl Stephens, actor “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom”
[at the LA Protest on Saturday, November 15th] It’s really impressive that so many groups came together, leaders of organizations in Los Angeles came together to pull this into a cohesive rally and it’s great to have the support of the police and the city and the mayor and straight allies. It’s so inspiring on so many levels. It’s awful that Proposition 8 passed, but I have to say, the rallies that have happened since then, seeing all these people come together in the streets, it’s awe-inspiring and it’s really moving. I’m so happy to be here.
The fact is, gay folks kind of live in a bubble in West Hollywood and other gay neighborhoods. We held Prop. 8 protest rallies on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Robertson where we didn’t really need to convince anybody. We really need to get out of our bubble and start reaching out to people in our communities because the gay community encompasses everybody. There are Black, Latino, Catholic, Morman. Everybody is here and we have to start reaching out to those people in our communities and in our families who don’t quite get it yet. Realy I think it’s a matter of exposure, it’s a matter of knowing people who you love who are gay. I think we’re so used to moving out of our communities, moving away from those people who don’t quite know what to do with us yet. We have to go back and we have to let them know how important equality is for us and that we are living the same lives that they’re living and we want the same rights that they have.
- Jon Meacham, Episcopalian and author of “American Lion” (there is a full video of his comments to Bill Maher below, and it is very good)
There is a very compelling religious case to be made for gay marriage… If we’re going to start throwing scripture at each other, which is always a dangerous thing, it’s much worse in scriptural terms to get divorced.
- Ashton Kutcher, actor/producer (interupting Jon Meacham with some very passionate comments, same video below):
… I appreciate the religious point of view why gay people should be able to be married, which I happen to agree with… we found[ed] this country by rebelling from a country that refused to separate church and state, right? And now we as a country, the fact that Proposition 8 is even on the ballot, the fact that it’s even on the ballot, is ridiculous! i don’t care what spiritual, religious beliefs are, it should not interfere with the government and our ability to do things through the government, ever. It’s unconstitutional!
- Reverend Ed Bacon, pastor, 4,000-member All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena
He spoke out against Proposition 8, calling the religious community’s support of it “embarrassing.” The church announced that while it could no longer legally marry same-sex couples, it would continue blessing gay civil unions. All Saints Episcopal has blessed same-sex unions for 16 years.
It is very unfortunate and embarrassing that the [Christian religion] is in large part responsible for this act of bigotry.
- Josh Brolin, actor, “Milk”:
Who gives a shit! Who cares! Doesn’t mean [gay and lesbian people] are going to stop kissing in the streets, just caus they can’t get married. And that’s the issue for the religious, that it’s visible and it’s always going to be visible, it ain’t going to go away… Gay life is more mainstream, but at the same time, things like this happen and you go, “You got to be kidding me!” especially in California. I think it’s awful, but I undersandit, everybody has their perspective.
- Madonna:
if we can have an African-American in the White House, we can have gay marriage.
- Christina Aguilera:
Prop 8 is discrimination. I don’t understand how people can be so close-minded and judgemental. [Given Obama’s win], this is a time in history of great cahneg and open-mindedness, why is this any different” Why would you put so much money behind something aimed at stopping people from loving each other and bonding together?
- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:
He urged backers of gay marriage to follow the lesson he learned as a body builder trying to lift weights that at first were too heavy for him.
I learned that you should never, ever give up… They should never give up. They should be on it and on it until they get it done.
- Samantha Ronson, DJ:
I guess people care more about farm animals than they do their fellow man, that’s really sad to me. Yes, I am glad that the chickens will have more room and better conditions as they wait to die, but I just think it’s frightening that people show more compassion for tomorrow’s dinner than for the chef.
- Sean Penn, actor, Milk:
Shameful
- Connie Rice, civil rights attorney
- Bill Rosendahl, the only openly gay member of the Los Angeles City Council
- Neil Patrick Harris, actor “How I Met Your Mother”
- Dustin Lance Black, screenwriter, “Milk”
- Cynthia Nixon, actor, “Sex in the City” (see interview with Joy Beharon Larry King Live)
- Lance Bass, actor
- Wanda Sykes, commedian
- Rose McGowan, actor, Charmed
- Kathy Griffin, commedian (see her No on 8 video below)
- John Cho, actor (see statement to the press below)
- Magic Johnson, basketball star, Lakers
- Eduardo Xol, designer, Extreme Makeover
- Tyne Daly, actor, Cagney & Lacey
- Amy Brennerman, actor, Judging Amy
- Jillian Armenante, actor, Judging Amy
- Carmit Bachar, musician, Pussycat Dolls
- Eric McCormaack, actor, Will & Grace
- Loni Anderson, actor, So noTORIous
- Dana Delaney, actor, Desperate Housewives
- Itzhak Perlman, musician
- Isa Dick Hackett, daughter of author Phillip K. Dick
- Margaret Cho, comedian
- Johnny Steele, comedian
- Heather Gold, comedian
- Ali Mafi, comedian
- Mark Leno, Assemblyman (D, San Francisco)
- Kamala Harris, District Attorney, San Francisco
- Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney
- Dennis Herrera, City Attorney, San Francisco
- Janice Mirikitani, poet laureate emeritus, San Francisco
- Magot Duane, photographer
- Father Geoffrey Farrow, Catholic priest, Saint Paul Newman Center, Fresno
- Jose Cisneros, Treasurer, San Francsisco
- America Ferrera, actor (Ugly Betty)
- Tony Plana, actor (Ugly Betty)
- Ana Ortiz, actor (Ugly Betty)
- Jack O’Connell, California Superintendent of Schools
- Portia de Rossi, actor
- Gavin Newsome, Mayor, San Francisco
- Melissa Etheridge, singer
- Barbara Streisand, mega-star
- Mary J Blige, singer
- Jason Weinburg, celebrity manager
- Jared Leto, actor
- Kelly Bush, celebrity publicist
- Adam Shankman, director (Hairspray)
- Paul Colichman, CEO Regent Entertainment (leading independent film company)
- Alan Poul, producer (Six Feet Under)
- Joe Biden, Senator and vice presidential nominee, D-Delaware
- Bruce Cohen, Oscar-winning producer, (American Beauty)
- Rob Reiner, director
- Rev Deborah L Johnson
- And last, but not least… Gavin Newsom and The California Supreme Court
Keep this list in mind when it comes time to spend your money or cast a vote. These individuals and companies have proven their commitment to our civil rights.
If you know of more donors or fundraisers, or you have corrections, or you want to be on the list, or you know of someone who deserves to be on this list, please submit a comment.
Jon Meacham and Ashton Kutcher on Bill Maher, on Prop 8:
John Cho on why he planned to vote No on Prop 8:
Chelsea Handler, No on Prop 8 – very funny!
Kathy Griffin, No on 8
Update 10/30/08:
achievement_gap's Weblog 
I know that some of the companies have been blackmailed by the Executive Committee of ProtectMarriage.com. Have any of the individuals on this list been blackmailed as well?
Hi Keltic,
Thanks for your comments. That’s an excellent question.
37 donors to the “No on Prop 8″ campaign were sent threatening letters by the”Yes on 8” campaign. They were warned, essentially, “Donate an equal amount to ‘Yes on 8’ or we’ll out you as opponents of ‘traditional marriage.” This has been covered by the press extensively so I won’t recap here. Here’s a good link:
http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2008/10/same-sex-marria.html
I don’t have is a list of those 37 companies so I cannot compare it to the list I published. Also, I don’t have a copy of the full letter, just an exerpt which I’ve included below:
“Make a donation of a like amount to ProtectMarriage.com which will help us correct this error,” reads the letter. “Were you to elect not to donate comparably, it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage. … The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to ProtectMarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published.”
Does anyone have a list of the 37 “No on 8” donors who have been threatened, or a copy of the blackmail letter?
Thanks!
If you pray, you’ll know the truth: Jesus says Vote NO!. Why don’t you try it?
Thank you for this! If you would, please add my name to this list of contributors to the “NO ON PROP 8” campaign.
I am Isa Dick Hackett, daughter of famed author Philip K Dick. He would have been proud to support this fight!
Warm Regards,
Isa
Thank you for writing Isa! I’d be happy to add your name to the list. I’m glad to hear you’re a supporter, and that your father would have been too.
Thank you and regards,
Diane
This is to Robert. I did what you suggested, I prayed. What I learned was what God calls homosexuality. In fact, through prayer, I was guided to several places in the Bible, Old and New Testimate where God is very clear on his feelings about this subject. Thanks for the advice Robert.
God Bless All of You
Rod
I too have donated. I am not a big time guy, but even on my student’s income I have given around $100, phone banked a couple of times, wear a No on 8 button and have asked customer’s and co-workers who came into my store where I work to please help us defeat this measure
Thanks so much for your comments Al, and for your support!
Wow… What about the hundreds of Yes on 8 donors who where threatened and vandalized. Goes both ways and it is a shame.
Fact is this prop passed because gay marriage supporters have NEVER brought the issue to the polls. They have chosen to go through activist judges instead. I find this practice undemocratic.
If gay marriage proponents want to legalize marriage for all, they should put it into a proposition and they may see more support next time…
Jimmy,
Do you think Loving v. Virginia was “undemocratic?” Do you think it is ok for a majority of people to be able to vote to overturn the rights of a minority? Courts regularly overturn the decisions of “majorities” for the simple reason that being a majority does not make you right.
Thanks for doing this. I’m a hetro, SINK, and am having a hardest time checking up my fury over the theocratic right undermining fundamental human rights.
The people of the California Have voted numerous times on this issue. The court ruled against us. Why should the majority of Californians have their wishes denied. Your group blames the churches, claims blackmail letters etc. The bottom line, this isn’t about hate, we could care less what you do behind closed doors, we just don’t want it foisted on us. Civil unions are fine marriage between a man and a woman is one of those pillars of society that have been in place for hundreds of years. why do you need to destroy it?
If you can destroy the churches then there will be no moral questioning of that society and we can all do as we like without any question.
OH ok Rich….so the church and religion are the sole source of our morals? Really? Well how do you define morals?
[…] No on Prop 8 Donors & Contributors – Boycott? Have a look at the largest donors who support gay marriage in California. Should traditional marriage supporters boycott them? (tags: gaymarriage) […]
Thank you for posting the names of the people who contributed to the “NO” side of proposition 8. Now, I know who to boycott from the other side. I have watched several video’s of the “yes” and “no” advocates of this issue and all I see is a lot of violence from the “NO on 8” protestors, and peaceful demonstration from the “yes” supporters. I was someone who was on the fence over this issue. Sorry, not anymore. It isn’t discrimination in my eyes anymore, it is keeping what has been tradition ALIVE in this State. You are blowing your own cause by your actions. Also, I don’t understand why there is going to be a “Great American God Out” in San Francisco. The VOTERS have voted, for the SECOND time. If people want to same sex marry why do they not move to a State where it is legal? Just curious.
Susan,
Thanks for your comments.
I think you will have a hard time boycotting most of the people / organizations on this list – PG&E? The CA Teachers Assoc.? Google?. Personally, I am so thankful Google donated to No on 8, because I cannot imagine life without Google. But there are certainly actions you can take, like boycotting Brad Pitt’s movies, if that’s what you feel you need to do. It is absolutely your right.
People who support same-sex marraige are angry Susan. We feel rejected, scared, marginalized, humiliated, and really, really sad. We feel like second class citizens. We are expected to be fully participating members of a society which does not validate or protect our families. Unfortunately, some of that anger rises to the surface during protests.
If you do some research about the upcoming protests one of the things you’ll see over and over again on the web sites are admonitions to “be respectful,” “be peaceful,” “be calm.” I don’t think it’s anyone’s goal to particpate in a violent demonstration – and it is unfortunate, and incredibly counterproductive, that it may have happened at times.
Also, I am wondering if you might have missed all of the violent Yes on 8 protests (although I’m sure they were not all that way) – where protestors carried signs sporting slogans like “God Hates Faggots.” “God Hates Fag Enablers.” “You’re Going to Hell.” “Fags Die, God Laughs.” Not exactly peaceful demonstration.
As far as why I don’t move, I’ll take you at your word that you’re just curious and answer you. There have been few comments on my blog that had some… more…. “agressive” suggestions about what I should do… so I’m a bit suspicious of the question.
I don’t move because I am third generation Californian. My partner is 6th, 7th generation?…. I don’t even know how far back her family roots in CA go. We own a home. We have jobs, friends, a community, neices, nephews, grandparents – family. We love the weather. We own kayaks and live a block from a river. We hate snow (so far only CT and MA have legalized same-sex marriage). We were born here, we went to school here. Why would we want to move? To get married somewhere else? No, we’d like to get married here in the state we’ve lived in for 44 years, in the state we love.
And to your point about the voters speaking twice, you are literally the billionth person to say that to me. I’ve argued about it ad nauseum on other posts, and I just can’t get into it again. You’re right, they have. And, I think you better get used to the fact that they might be voting on it a third time. From what I can tell this issue is far from over.
I’m protesting on November 13th, at 10:30 am, in Santa Rosa, California at the corner of 4th and Mendo (www.jointheimpact.com – simultaneous protests for LGBTQ rights, coast to coast). Thank you for reminding me of the negative impact any anger or violence I’m feeling will have. I think my sign will be “Love Makes a Family.” If you were genuinely a fence sitter, I’m sorry for anything we as a community did to push you in the opposite direction.
Peace!
Diane
Thanks for the list. I will be distributing it to the millions who supported Yes on 8. We now know who to boycott.
Have a nice day!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing. Aren’t you clever?! No one else has thought of that, well, except for a lot of other people who thought of that.
I just wanted to wish you good luck. Have fun not using your Levis, your iPod, Google, your electricity if you have PG&E, or your kid’s teachers if you have children in the CA public school system. It’s also going to be tough to avoid all of the media involved in the marriage equality movement. It’s entire studios. Dreamworks alone… phew. Did you know that’s Shrek, Bee Movie and Antz? I can’t even imagine what you’ll have to give up to do this right.
But, as I said to Susan… ya’ do what you gotta do. It’s your right to boycott. I just feel kind of sorry for you because all I had to do was not be a religious fanatic, and skip a few fast food meals.
Have a nice day too! 🙂
It’ll be interesting to see how long these boycotts go on both sides here…. most people just don’t care enough to boycott – on either side – sorry folks, Celebrities or not, I’m not convinced.
Let’s imagine that all lesbians were rounded up and put on one large island and all gay men rounded up to another. Guess what would happen? After one generation they would all die out because they wouldn’t be able to reproduce. If God intended a man and a man to be together and a woman and a woman to be together wouldn’t he have made a way for them to procreate?
I am so astonished that so many supposedly charitable and holy people would willfully attack their fellow citizens, when those people are doing nothing to harm them. It really is disturbing that grown adults cannot seem to be able to distinguish the 2 different meanings of marriage: religious and state recognized. The religious right has *NO* business in denying another group’s right to have a state recognized marriage. Just like the government has no business telling the churches they must wed 2 people of the same sex. Civil unions are not the same thing as marriage in the eye of the state, and so are insufficient. It is so silly to spend millions of dollars just because some people cannot understand the simple fact that words can have more than 1 meaning, differing based on the context. God, if he’s really out there, would be ashamed of his supposed followers, wasting untold resources on vengeful, fearful, and hate-based attacks. I’m sick of it.
Wow. Does anyone have actual proof that there was blackmailing going on?
If you see all the hate directed toward the Yes on 8 campaign, it is easy to see who really are the haters.
Thanks for the list of supporters of the No on 8 campaign. We have archived the information so we can post those persons in the future. There are many who will wish to know the companies that do not support the family.
It will come in handy to inform, again and again.
The election is over, lets Move On shall we.
Gee Jeffrey… really original idaea. One of a kind. Except for all the other people who’ve already thought of it. Boycott, it’s your civil right. I’d never deny you your civil rights.
To give you credit though, you did say something slightly unique… “There are many who will wish to know the comapanies that do not support the family.” Are you suggesting that all of the people on this list with familes don’t support the family? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie alone not only support their biological family, but three kids who would have led impovrished lives had the Jolie-Pitts not intervened. Just glancing again through the list, I saw the many donors gay and straight whom I know have families.
Interesting idea that they don’t support families.
K Neilson,
Of course there is proof. How silly of me not to have published it. You may find a preponderance (that means a lot) of proof (that means that although I published the post, it contains links to external sources) here.
Thanks for pointing out my oversight.
Have a great Day.
Diane
[…] individuals, organizations and businesses which have contributed $4,950 or more. I have posted a list that combines both donors and activists to the No on 8 campaign. Possibly related posts: […]
Gotta love that Christian love.
We’re gonna boycott! “Turn the other cheek”? Clearly that is no longer relevant. My daughter’s friend said she could no longer do something because that company contributed to “No on 8”. I mused how she was going to do research for school without the ubiquitous Google. Gonna have to find someplace with actual encyclopedias.
In the spirit of the Christianity Yes on 8 claim, they have flipped members of my church with our No on 8 signs demonstrating in front of our church. They’ve made hateful calls to our pastor. They have blocked in a friend (who had a No on 8 sticker on her car) and yelled at her how “God hates Fags”.
It makes me ashamed to call myself a Christian.
Some may firmly and honestly believe that only they are created in the image of God and that their gay brothers and sisters are not. But in reality it is homophobia that fuels this vote. The fear mongering that “gay marriage will be taught” to kindergarteners is proof of that. They played into the fear that children will be “recruited” or taught to be gay (see: “Protect Children”).
So now the oppressors are feeling marginalized. That’s what happens. You are free to think as you wish. You are free to believe as you wish. You are not free to deny rights to others.
This isn’t about how gay people have sex and how very very afraid “those people” are going to make you do that too.
It isn’t even about how God views marriage.
It’s about civil rights. Because God doesn’t make our laws. He only makes His laws. And if your interpretation leads you to believe that excludes those He made in His image and are gay, then that is your constitutionally guaranteed perogative.
But that doesn’t give you any right to make your God’s law apply to those who either believe differently or do not believe at all. Mostly because of that aforementioned constitutional guarantee to separation of church and state.
That road runs both ways. You don’t get to have it just apply to you.
All the money collected from both sides, No and Yes on 8, should’ve been put into a fund that could pay for counseling for those that live such a lifestyle.
Nancy – Wow!!! Thanks. Amazing, Your comments are right on the mark! Positive feedback mean so much to me. I feel like disengaging from this issue sometimes because it’s so hateful and devisive. Thank you.
D Ramsey,
That’s an interesting idea. I think you’re probably right. Somone who spends a lot of time focusing on what goes on in another couple’s bedroom, life and family – probably needs counseling. That seems like a very unhealty lifestyle. If you start a fund, I’ll contribute a little bit.
Thanks,
Diane
Thanksgiving Event Idea — Thanking our Equal Rights Supporters
Hi everyone,
Thanksgiving is coming up and my wife Gail and I thought it would be great if there were some events focused on thanking the people who supported the No on 8 campaign and who continue to support our marriages and our struggle for equal rights.
So many people deserve our appreciation — everyone on the Honor Rolls listed on this site for a start. Current and past activists (such as Ceasar Chavez). And, for many of us, our families and friends.
Gail and I suggest that people organize any kind of event they like that focuses on thanking our allies and supporters, either on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27) or on the following Friday, Saturday or Sunday (Nov. 28, 29 or 30). Some possibilities: Simply expressing gratitude around the dinner table. A gathering where people take turns thanking whoever they feel moved to thank. A rally with signs expressing our thanks and gratitude to those helping in our struggle for equal rights. Religious congregations could include some type of thanks in their services on the weekend. We could write and mail thank-you letters to specific people, or to newspapers. We could add thank-you postings to websites and blogs. I’m sure you can all think of other ideas.
Gail and I will be working on planning some kind of thankful action in the L.A. area, which everyone will be very welcome to join in. We hope this idea catches on and other people plan actions around the country. If you could forward this posting to anyone who you think would be interested in a Thanksgiving event, that would be fantastic. All of the recent equal rights and No on 8 events have arisen from grassroots organizing and word of mouth, so we are putting this idea out there and hoping it will take off.
For anyone who wants to copy and send this post by e-mail, I’m including the link to the achievementgap website’s supporter honor roll, which includes names of people and groups who deserve our thanks. There’s a long list of our supporters, plus links to lists of organizations, religious groups, elected officials, newspapers and businesses who supported No on 8. Go to:
https://achievementgap.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/honor-roll-no-on-prop-8-donors-contributors/ .
Peace, love and equal rights — and happy Thanksgiving!
Lynne
Hi Lynne,
I think you and Gail have a terrific idea. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I can turn your comments into post… might get a little more attention (not that the world’s beating down the doors to read my blog – LOL)! Remembering to be thankful for all the supporters; gay/straight, black/white (and in between), young/old, is so critical. Finding individuals and organizations to add to this list helps maintain my sanity. My favorite find today is Lucy Lawless (Xena!). Keep me posted on how things are going for you!
Best to you and your wife!
Diane
May I suggest that the moderator exercise the right to delete offensive blog posts, or just delete the comments feature? There is some really hateful stuff being posted, and I did not think that was the point of this site. People can spew their hate elsewhere, on their own websites. I was directed to this site to find names of people who supported equal rights, and instead found the same vile remarks the Prop 8 people have been spreading for months. Enough!
Oddly, of all the negative, hateful comments I have received since the inception of this blog, the comment from “random visitor” caused me the most pain – because a decision of mine caused him pain. Moderating comments is a difficult process. Sometimes they really hurt, but I never thought of the pain they might cause my readers. For that, I am truly sorry.
However, I probably will not change my moderation style. My decision to allow negative and even hateful commentary was based on several factors I’d like to share.
1) LGBTQ rights are a passion for me, but they are not my only passion. I believe very strongly in full freedom of speech. I heard a story as a kid that has, for better or worse, informed much of who I am, politically, as an adult.
I’ll reduce the story to the punch line. “A black lawyer represents a KKK member’s right to assemble peacefully, and to peacefully spew a bunch of garbage out of his foul mouth.” This symbolic image made it clear to me what an American is; what a patriot is. I understood fully, from this one story, how precious are our First Amendment rights. I also understood those rights must be protected – at almost any cost.
What this story means to my moderating style is that, unless someone is doing the commentary-equivalent of “shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater” I approve it.
I would never criticize another blogger for rejecting negative comments. This is a choice I made to maintain an alignment between my beliefs and my blog. But again, if my choice has caused pain to anyone, I am sorry.
My other reasons are more practical:
2) I get a lot of comments that the “our” side won’t listen to “their” side. The most effective way to dispute this claim is to allow differing points of view to be expressed on my site. “Ok, we’re listening.”
3) I get a lot of comments that “our” side is hateful. We are hateful protesters; we are hateful, intolerant people. The most effective way to counteract this claim is to allow hateful comments from “their” side to be viewed. “Who is being hateful?” This becomes more effective if my/our response to those comments is patient and kind.
4) Allowing differing points of view, even when they are nasty, gives room for debate and discussion. These discussions can be tough to read. Sometimes they devolve to the point of ridiculousness. But they can also be positive. It’s particularly helpful when “our” side maintains a calm and logical approach. I, personally, have veered sharply from “calm and logical” at times. I am human and some of these comments really, really hurt. But I’m working on it. And many cooler heads than mine have provided insightful arguments which I have found helpful.
5) Someday I, or one of my readers, may find myself in a discussion with “their” side. I used to feel ill prepared for that eventuality. Now, having read the debate on my site, and many other wonderful blogs following this issue, I am better prepared to engage calmly, peacefully and without fear. I can get pissed at home, and stay calm in the world. This is very helpful to me.
I hope this ridiculously long comment helps you to understand why I would allow hatefulness and negativity (from both sides, to be perfectly fair). I might be making a mistake, but in the long run, I believe it is the right thing to do.
PS. Lets focus too on the tons of positive commentary I/we receive! Some of it just makes my day!
Hi Diana,
Glad you like the Thanksgiving Thank You idea. If you could make my comment into a post to make it more visible, that would be great. I’ve posted the idea to the Join the Impact web site and have e-mailed several MCC churches about it. I’ll keep trying to spread the word. I’m grateful to have your site to refer people to — most of us have no idea who all of our supporters are! Next I’ll have to start tracking down some addresses for public figures that people want to write to in order to express their thanks.
I think that the media have tended to be on our side in their reports about the recent Prop. 8 actions. However, they like to have conflict in their stories, and because of this I think they are putting out some “Us vs. Them” messages that aren’t fair or helpful — e.g., “gays vs. religious people” or “gays vs. blacks.” Plenty of gay people are also religious or black or religious AND black, for one thing. And there are plenty of black straight people and religious straight people who are opposed to discrimination against gays. I’m really ready to see a big rally filled with signs that say “Thank You, Samuel L. Jackson, for your support!” and “Thank You, All Saints Episcopal Church!” and “Viva Dolores Huerta!”
Lucy Lawless is pretty darn cool too!
Best wishes,
Lynne
Hi Lynne,
I’ll be happy post your idea. Do you have any kind of ‘official’ statement, or a link I can direct people to?
Also, I have a suggestion and a task I’m willing to volunteer for if you’re interested. I have a huge list of churchs & other faith based organizations that supported the No on 8 campaign. Would you like me to pull together a mailing list for you – including email addresses if I can find them? I’d be happy to do that if it would be helpful. It seems like those groups would be most interested in participating in some way.
Also, there is a comment from a “random visitor” above. I think he was directed to my site through whatever mailing you sent out. I felt really bad about what he said and provided, I hope, a justification for why I’ve chosen to moderate my blog the way I do. Anyway, some of the negative comments I receive can be tough to read, and I don’t allow them “lightly.” I just wanted you to be aware you might get some feedback about this.
Peace!
Diane
I’m not a fan o boycotts. I actually prefere to use the YES on 8 list and make sure that my family and everyone I know supports them. It’s more productive. But, dont fool yourself thinking that it can be done honey. My family, company and a whole list of people I know don’t use google already and we are living life just fine. In fact all These “BIG” companies that are on your NO list weren’t able to do enough to bit the people. Don’t underestimate de power of the people. Those companies are what they are because of people like us. And really, Bratt who?
Hossane, apparently you’re not a fan of spell check either. But, I’m glad you found my Yes on 8 donor list helpful. Support away! It’s your right.
Coupla things, concerning marriage.
0/ [had to make a zero] Many of us who voted for 8 did so after some agonizing, and not even for god or whatever. If you’ve BEEN married ‘straight’ you might understand. We also have a LOT of gay friends, some of whom privately say.. we want to be together, but our way.. and marriage is the only way to describe it
1/ Straight marriage != Gay Marriage. Why do you even need the word in a state/legal context? What you need is the *benefits* and your own *identity* out of it.
2/ What gays should have gays should define, not put in ‘straight terms’. And they should be equivalent in every way to what straight couples have. That’s what the Germans and French have done. And there’s acceptance over there.
3/ The straight folks I know don’t want gay values crammed down their throat[s]. Is that too much to ask outside the bay area? When you say ‘gay marriage’ it’s like anti-matter to straights. It’s like saying ‘straight’ [insert unique gay thing here] and sounds just as ludicrous… hope you can understand that. When you throw around oxymorons, or the like it just comes off like agenda.
4/ Seriously, cut it out with the lists. They *do* contribute to hate on both sides. And yes, I’ve read accounts of vandalism and threats on both sides. Do you really think you’re making any converts? Face it, are you really that vengeful? Me, I’m gonna roll my eyes, still get power from PG&E, still buy Apple, etc. Oh, and the Nazis used to make lists. And check them twice.
5/ Learn from Germany, among other places. VERY gay friendly. Didn’t use the courts but took the cause to the people, and have REAL acceptance there. My German friends [gay and straight] think we’re like orangutans and the USA is the freaking planet of the apes. Or were the gorillas the dumb ones. I forget.
Sorry, that was more than a couple things. And yes, you can call me a bigot, h8tr, blah, but I believe in the Plantinum Rule, and not the Golden one. Gays need their own identity, their own thing. I don’t think ‘marriage’, loaded as the word is, quite fits in the USA, just yet. It does in other places where they can have rational convos without getting hippity hoppity mad / sue happy / threatening with each other.
-Drunkio
And I think we’ve seen enough of that all around. Ghod, what a waste of time and money. I guess we should set up a trust fund and FEED PEOPLE next time [not try and preach/convert either way].
One more one more thing to all those confused about ‘who is violent’ and all that. If you’ll indulge me.
All of you do yourselves a favor. Using Craigslist, check the overall tone of ::
Norcal Bay Area ‘Rants’n’Raves’ and then… Los Angeles RnR…
You will find [and also on Facebook, etc] than the bay area folks are a LOT more militant on both sides. The hate and epithets on both sides will make your toes curl compared to the relative blasé that is LA.
Most of the vandalism *I* read about happened up there and in the Central Valley [Churches defaced and pastors getting crank calls, this was on the local tv news up here]…
I guess you Angelinos are a lot more laid back…. *sigh* Sorry, just trying to be objective [tho’ not very ‘scientific’]…
-Drunkio
Drunkio – Did you seriuosly tell me to cut it out with the lists? Was that item number 4 on YOUR list?
Hi Diana,
I don’t currently have an official statement or website to link to. I will come up with something, that’s a good idea.
So far I’ve written to all of the MCC church addresses I could get online, which was quite a few. I agree that religious groups might be especially into the Thanksgiving Thank You idea.
I don’t know if there’s time to reach out to all of the faith-based groups that opposed Prop. 8 before Thanksgiving, but if you are willing to work on a list of groups and their e-mails, it would be really helpful. My wife and I are keen on reaching out to gay-friendly religious groups, since it seems to us that they are in a good position to reach out to religious groups that aren’t gay-friendly. So we would be able to use your list for future actions, after Thanksgiving has passed.
So yes, thanks, if you can put together such a list it would be great! Meanwhile I can go to the website of the larger groups, like the Unitarian Church, and e-mail their various ministers or staff.
I’ve also been writing to people who are organizing rallies around Thanksgiving time and suggesting carrying signs thanking our supporters.
I see what you mean about the Random Visitor. They probably kept scrolling down through the Honor Roll to get to the links to Elected Officials, Businesses, etc. and then they ran into the comments section, which does have some nasty comments in it. Actually, I sent a friend of mine to your site and she looked at the list of who had supported Yes on 8 and came away all hot under the collar about that! Well, what can you do? (About the lists of Elected Officials, etc. — now that you have so many names on your Honor Roll, you might consider moving the links to those lists to the top of the Honor Roll. Some visitors probably miss the links to these lists because they don’t scroll down far enough, especially once they start running across video clips. Just a thought.)
One final note. I posted my Thanksgiving idea to the Join the Impact web site. Someone posted a reply with the suggestion of creating a web page where people could thank our supporters — kind of like a big cyber Thank You card. I thought I would run this idea by you. I think it would be important to moderate it so that people couldn’t post anything negative — it would be ONLY about thanking people. Since you have a web site — something I’ve never done — do you have any thoughts about this idea? Is it the kind of thing that could be linked to your Honor Roll page, and if so, would you be interested in doing that? Or is that crazy? If a lot of people wanted to post to it, it would be a lot of work to moderate all their remarks.
Best Wishes and thanks for your help!
Lynne
great thanks for this list, im scheduling a blog post with it