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October 01, 2008

Entrepreneur Vows to Match $500K Worth of No on 8 Contributions

Entrepreneur Vows to Match $500K Worth of No on 8 Contributions

Gay Ohio entrepreneur and political activist Jonathan Lewis issued a challenge of sorts to Los Angeles's entertainment industry Tuesday -- raise $500,000 for No on Prop. 8, and he and his family will match the contributions dollar for dollar. Sources close to the Lewis family say Jonathan became particularly interested in California’s Proposition 8 after Brad Pitt’s $100,000 contribution. Reports that followed suggested a number of key entertainment figures had yet to give.

If passed, Prop. 8 would rescind marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples in California. The constitutional amendment would override the state supreme court’s landmark May 15 ruling deeming California’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

"With Election Day five weeks away, we are concerned that the entertainment industry hasn't stepped up to the plate to fight this unnecessary initiative,” Lewis said in a statement. “We are pleased to see the leadership of Brad Pitt and Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg. Now it's time for the entertainment industry as a whole to take the lead.

"My family and I are issuing a $500,000 challenge to the entertainment industry. We will match the next half-million dollars that entertainment industry leaders contribute. This is an urgent time in the campaign, and we have to act now."

Lewis added that the match also applies to any contributions made to the fight against Florida’s similar Proposition 2.

As of Tuesday, fund-raising efforts for Yes on 8 appear to be $5 million ahead of contributions to No on 8. (The Advocate)

Keywords:  California marriage 
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Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: marcos
    Date posted: 2008-12-29 6:48 PM
    Hometown: sao paulo brasil

    Comment:

    well i m gay celebrity but today i lost my business because i m jail mr chairman globo tv mr roberto irineu marinho this men put jail my prison rue evandro carlos de andrade number 160 morumbi at sao paulo i would like help because i m gay


  • Name: Fred Cook
    Date posted: 2008-10-27 2:28 PM
    Hometown: Manteca, CA

    Comment:

    I am astounded by the anti- prop, 8 continued pounding at the "fairness" issue. The last time I checked, fairness extends the some rights and laws to all. All that the Prop. 8 proponents want is to reestablish for all citizens the right to choose a member of the opposite sex and, as long as they fulfill all other legal requirement such as age, they are free to marry that individual. What could be more fair???


  • Name: Stephen
    Date posted: 2008-10-01 9:57 AM
    Hometown: Cambridge

    Comment:

    Thank god for Jonathan Lewis, David Bohnett, Tim Gill and David Geffen. Where the hell are the gay Hollywood members? I'm delighted Ellen is blogging, but if she would just donate the money she made by selling her wedding photos, NO on 8 would be much further along.


  • Name: Keith
    Date posted: 2008-09-30 11:33 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    The Hollywood entertainment community, especially the key Gay celebrities, should be ASHAMED of themselves for not stepping up to the plate and making a sizeable donation at this crucial time when there are only a few weeks left before the vote. California will begin being inundated with LIES from the Yes on 8 Campaign. They must be countered with the truth. PLEASE DONATE TODAY.


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