Brad Pitt to Give $100,000 to Fight California Marriage Ban

Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt announced on Wednesday he's donating $100,000 to fight Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that could ban same-sex marriage in California. Pitt said he chose to make the donation "because discrimination has no place in America."

Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt announced on Wednesday he's donating $100,000 to fight Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that could ban same-sex marriage in California.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Pitt's contribution is the largest anti-Prop. 8 donation by a celebrity.

"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," the actor said in a statement.

Political strategist Chad Griffin told the Times that he hopes Pitt's donation spurs more celebrity donors. He added that Democratic billionaire Ron Burkle plans to host a large fund-raiser at his home in October to rally the entertainment industry against Prop. 8.

Recent weeks have been marred by reports that the Yes on 8 campaign has seen a huge influx of cash support from wealthy evangelical donors. According to reports, the bulk of the donations have come from outside California. (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (27) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: stavros Giannakopoulos
Date posted: 9/24/2008 7:31:00 PM
Hometown: athens greece

Comment:
Thank's Brad. Greece is in the courts for the gay marriage in this moment. But the rich gay people in Greece they are all in the closet and nobody helps us. Anyway we will win. And american friends you will win as well. Good luck.
Back to top
Name: slambanog
Date posted: 9/19/2008 12:31:00 AM
Hometown: Manila, Philippines

Comment:
The gay rights movement will go by the same path as the fight for women's equality and black civil rights movement. I think in less than 3 decades, discrimination against gays will not go away but will become politically incorrect. I propose the gay community put up a wall of hate to have famous homophobes' names chiselled on this wall for everyone to see in all eternity. makes those who wants to play the gay-threat game rethink their agenda and also in the future, those leaning towards discrimination against other groups might think twice or forever be etched in history.
Back to top
Name: Robert W.
Date posted: 9/18/2008 9:30:00 PM
Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Comment:
Thank You Brad Pitt for your support of the LGBT Community. I hope that with the subject of Gay Marriage comes up again here in TX you will be willing to donate another large amount for us too. I-Rate either come out of your closet or go back, lock the door behind you and stay in there.
Back to top
Name: steve
Date posted: 9/18/2008 9:27:00 PM
Hometown: roswell, georgia

Comment:
Brad is as fine inside as he is outside. Both he and Angelina do wonderful things and deserve tremendous admiration and respect. With regard to I-Rate and his homophobic babble, I'm curious as to why you're reading a gay based magazine. Stop struggling and start celebrating your homosexuality!
Back to top
Name: Plasticanimalz
Date posted: 9/18/2008 7:14:00 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
Hey I-Rate, I find it a funny comparison that the majority of those that like to make bigot remarks against homosexuals always sound like illiterate rednecks. Much like when Klan members would go on TV to promote white power and sound much the same. I also find it funny that you state your hometown as "Not homophobic - just heterosexual." Dear, dear, boy, so, how much gay porn have you watched already? Was it like Reverand Falliwell or whichever "other" closet case like yourself who said he was watching gay porn in order to view the sin, because he was so repulsed by it? Thanks Brad for making redneck closet cases like I-Rate look even more ignorant, and for your loving contribution and support towards us.
Back to top
Name: eugene
Date posted: 9/18/2008 6:29:00 PM
Hometown: phoenix

Comment:
namaste brad and angelina. thank you so much!
Back to top
Name: jessie
Date posted: 9/18/2008 6:20:00 PM
Hometown: inglewood

Comment:
I-rate is funny...what are you doing on a gay site? its nice to know there are open minded people out there, unlike misinformed i-rate who lumps pedophilia with homosexuality...those two are no where near alike...men and women who like small children prefer them because of their bodies lack of maturity not because they prefer same sex...stop being so moronic and inform yourself before you say something more foolish and ignorant...
Back to top
Name: Tom
Date posted: 9/18/2008 5:21:00 PM
Hometown: san jose, ca

Comment:
Wonderful news. I new Pitt was an ally, but didn't know how much of an ally. I wish I could afford to give $100K to oppose this thing. I'm glad that one of those who can does. Many thanks.
Back to top
Name: bean67
Date posted: 9/18/2008 5:13:00 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
Learn how to spell properly dumbass! If you want your people to take your rants seriously then use proper English.
Back to top
Name: Chris
Date posted: 9/18/2008 5:03:00 PM
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Comment:
Anta Bryant is back on the scene, but is now known as the mayor of Fort Lauderdale and sometime goes by the name of Sally Kern.

PREVIOUS 1 2 3 NEXT

More Online Only

Commentary Progress in the Midwest
A city native and strong supporter of Kalamazoo's effort to keep an anti-discrimination law reflects on a hard-won campaign.

Commentary What Marriage in Maine Meant for Me

Dana Hernandez is a straight white married mother of two young children. But in campaigning for No on 1 and reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com, defeat hit her like a ton of bricks.

Marriage Equality Terri White Stages Her Leather Encore

Last year, acclaimed stage performer Terri White was homeless and living in a public park. On Sunday, she and her partner held a leather-themed commitment ceremony onstage following her triumphant Broadway turn in Finian’s Rainbow.

Music Ghost Story

Out singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile discusses working with her childhood mentor, coming out publicly, and joining next year's Lilith Fair.

News View From Washington: GOP Upheaval

Now that the only pro-marriage equality candidate in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Republican Dede Scozzafava, has dropped out of the race, Tuesday's election holds any number of political lessons for both the GOP and the LGBT community.

Books Hot Sheet: Ditto Knocking 'Em Dead

This week might not bring anything to the screen other than a Boondock Saints sequel, but there are plenty of reasons to sit at home on the couch or head to your local concert venue.

News Features Sailor Speaks Out
Sailor Joseph Rocha endured years of hazing until he spoke out — then he was discharged for revealing his homosexuality. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is itching to suit back up.

Music Rainbow High

Busy Broadway heartthrob, gay rights activist, and former Advocate coverboy Cheyenne Jackson chats about his Finian’s Rainbow revival, his politically charged cabaret CD, and laying around in his underpants (pic on page five).

Marriage Equality For Maine, The Time is Now
Money is on their side and the polls look optimistic, but volunteers fighting to preserve marriage equality in Maine are prepared for a fight to the finish.

Television Another Tough Broad

After being outed by a Nazi and locking lips with a hook-up three times in one episode, Christine Woods's tough-talking FBI agent Janis Hawk on ABC's FlashForward might just be prime time's best gay offering — who isn't in Glee club, that is.

Books In Sickness and in Health

Mary Cappello’s memoir Called Back takes readers on a white-knuckle journey through the experience of cancer treatment in America — especially disorienting to navigate as a woman and a lesbian.

Books An American Crime

Best-selling novelist Patricia Cornwell made headlines last week when she filed suit against a New York investment firm for losing $40 million of her money. But she'd much rather talk about her new book, hate-crimes legislation, and Angelina Jolie.

Comedy Gilded Lily

After conquering Broadway, movies, and television, out funny lady Lily Tomlin prepares for the final frontier — Las Vegas.

Entertainment News Ricky Martin, No Shirt and a Baby
Ricky Martin knows how to get the camera's attention. Take a look at the many pictures of Ricky uploaded to his Twitter account in the past three months, always shirtless, frequently carrying one (or both) of his babies.

Television Fresh Blood
With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.