Republican Donors for NY Gay Marriage Campaign

Many donors, previously known for their past connections with conservative politics, were key contributors to the campaign to legalize gay marriage in New York, according to The New York Times.

Republican Paul E. Singer, founder of Elliott Management, has close ties to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Rudolph Giuliani. In addition, Singer has a gay son and has contributed both time and money in the past to gay rights campaigns, including the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

At a fundraiser for the organization last year, Singer was quoted discussing his son and son-in-law, stating, "At the moment they are pioneers," in reference in the modern gay rights movement.

Two of the other main financiers were Cliffard S. Asness, the head of the quant fund AQR Capital and Daniel S. Loeb, leader of Third Point. In 2008, both men were financial backers of the 2008 presidential campaign of Barack Obama.

New York, which will grant same-sex marriage liscenes on July 24, is one of six states where gay marriage is legal within the United States, in addition to the District of Columbia.