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)
