Health Promo 03 (Getty) | Advocate.com
||  News  ||
 
October 15, 2008

No on 8 Donations Near $1 Million a Day, Money Needs to Keep Coming

No on 8 Donations Near $1 Million a Day, Money Needs to Keep Coming

Ellen DeGeneres has stepped up her participation in the No on Prop. 8 campaign by recording a TV ad asking voters to oppose the proposed anti-gay marriage California constitutional amendment.

Patrick Guerriero, campaign director for No on 8, made that announcement during a phone conference with LGBT press on Tuesday.

"She's filmed an ad that could be used in ways that we'll determine over the next day or so. Certainly you'll see it on the Web and virally, and potentially on TV," said Guerriero, who read a transcript that he said is close to the finished product.

"Hi, I'm Ellen DeGeneres," Guerriero quoted from the transcript. "I got to do something this year I never thought I'd ever be able to do. I got married. It was the happiest day of my life. There are people out there raising millions of dollars to try to take that right away from me. You've seen their ads on TV. They're twisting the truth, and they're trying to scare you. I believe in fairness. I believe in compassion. I believe in equality for all people. Proposition 8 does not. Please, please vote no on Prop. 8."

"I think you're going to see some breakthrough gifts in the next few days," Guerriero said. Since the No on Prop. 8 campaign put out an SOS roughly a week ago, donations have been running close to $1 million per day -- a remarkable feat, he said, and one that has No on 8 poised to cross the $20 million mark shortly.

However, Guerriero stressed, donations need to keep rolling in at that rate through Election Day, at least, in order to get the pro-LGBT side back in the fight monetarily -- and of 1 million LGBT adults in California, only 30,000 have contributed so far -- and that not a single LGBT demographic or region in the state had given what would be required to win the battle.

"When you do the math, if we have a million adults and we have 30,000 donors, that means 970,000 have not given a dollar yet," he said. "That means there's not a single neighborhood, there's not a single street, there's not a single congressional district, there's not a single county where we're getting enough support from LGBT Californians." (Anne Stockwell -- The Advocate)

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: Jim Webber
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 7:33 PM
    Hometown: Sacramento

    Comment:

    When I got my $600 economic stimulus check from the IRS, I resolved to spend the entire amount on regime change. I have given $140 to the Democratic Party and $460 to No on Prop 8. If every gay adult would give just $100 of the $600 they got, No on 8 would have $100M. I realize that there are many who are below the median income, but if those above the median income would consider $200, just 1/3 of the bonus check they got in May, we would have the same result.


  • Name: Dave Marsh
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 6:08 PM
    Hometown: Elk Grove, CA

    Comment:

    So, just when do we expect to see Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator Obama stating clearly in an ad that while they personally believe a marriage is between a man and a woman, that they both OPPOSE changing the constitution of the state of California to deny this right to LGBT people and encourage people to vote against this proposition? Or, were they just giving us lip service?


  • Name: Joseph
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 5:49 PM
    Hometown: Fife

    Comment:

    Democracy is gay marriage's worst enemy. Every time it's been submitted to an actual vote, it gets shot down. The only reason it's allowed in California at all is because of four activist judges overturning the votes of 61% of California's population. When the people of California speak again this election day, they will once again say what they said before - no gay marriage in California.


  • Name: Rachel
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 4:16 PM
    Hometown: Gulfport, MS

    Comment:

    I live in MS...I know that marriage will not come to my state untill there is a federal law that allows same-sex marriage. But I also know that will never happen until big states with big influence in the courts make it legal...like CA. I find it insane that only 30k of the over 1 million LGBT that live in CA have donated! I know I won't see the fruit of this labor for years possibly decades..but I know enough to give till it hurts! Wake up CA residents! What happens in CA will have lasting effects on the rest of the country! We can take a huge step forward..or slamed on the ass backwards for years to come!


  • Name: Ted
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 4:05 PM
    Hometown: Kingston, NY

    Comment:

    I'm one of those 30,000 "queers" who HAS contributed and I STILL resent that Ellen has not. What kind of role model is that?


  • Name: Terre
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 3:34 PM
    Hometown: San Luis Obispo

    Comment:

    DONATE TODAY: noonprop8.com Please note that this year marks 60 years since the CA Supreme Court struck down the ban on inter-racial marriages as unconstitutional. Marriage bans in over a dozen states were struck down in the year that followed, but it wasn't until 1967 that the federal government changed the law to apply to the 16 states that still prosecuted whites who married blacks, natives, asians or any other race. Predictably, these were mostly southern states. The ban on marriage between gay people was found unconstitutional by the CA Supreme Court in June 2008, with a majority Republican rule applying the strictest tests. No matter what you think about marriage, no one should be discriminated against under the law. Give and vote NO ON 8.


  • Name: Zemir
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 3:08 PM
    Hometown: Goiania, Brazil

    Comment:

    My partner and I had to move to Brazil, my homecountry 2 years ago. After 7 years living in US which is also his own country. We decided to move because of my status, we couldn't apply even for my residence based on our relationship. Anyway.. I just wanted to say; GO ELLEN GO... WE TOTALLY SUPPORT YOU ON THIS... Zemir


  • Name: Richard Johnson
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 2:28 PM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    I believe the fact that Ellen is a daily role model via her TV show is a higher price than any amount of money she could donate. You wanna bitch about the perceived lack of financial support for 'No on 8' then look into your own wallet or those 970,000 queers who haven't given a dime. THAT's what you should be upset about not the lack of Ellen's money.


  • Name: Pat
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 2:27 PM
    Hometown: Miami

    Comment:

    Wow. I feel slapped. But I deserve it. We talked about giving $25 last night, and now we MUST! I am a student, and my wife may lose her job any day, but this is a sacrifice we all must make for our COMMUNITY!! Good for Ellen for doing so much, but really, why aren't the Hollywood people stepping up with cash??? And why two hetero guys the first celebs??! It is quite disappointing that those with the money are not coming forward with MONEY! In our own community!! GIVE UP THE VACATION SPA MONEY, DUDES! ;)


  • Name: Jake
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 2:15 PM
    Hometown: Pittsburgh

    Comment:

    Okaayy,,, nice article, but where is the link to donate?


  • Name: Ted
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 2:05 PM
    Hometown: Kingston, NY

    Comment:

    Still puzzled why Ellen has not given any money. PSA is okay but what did that cost her? She has made millions off of gays; hope she let loose of a few bucks to help you in CA.


  • Name: Jeffrey1234
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 11:34 AM
    Hometown: Long Beach

    Comment:

    Please, no matter where you are in the country, please donate $25.00 to the No on 8 campaign. If we can get 1 million people to donate $25.00 each the campaign will have $25.00 million dollars. The Yes on 8 campaign is now running ads with 4 year old children saying that we are teaching them to marry someome of the same gender. Unbelievable. I can't believe what I am seeing on TV and hearing on the radio stations in the Los Angeles area where I live. Please donate so we can defeat this measure.


  • Name: Andrew
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 10:26 AM
    Hometown: Houston

    Comment:

    Even if you don't live in California, it is important issue that will impact what other states may decide about the gay marriage and the equality that comes with it. If you know one gay person with whom you are close, be it a family member, a neighbor, a co-worker - then think about what effect the passing of this bill might mean to them. I tend to believe that most people are decent overall and I think most people will do the right thing when they stop and think long and hard about an issue. Please give generously to this campaign and vote "no" if you can on this proposition. I live in Texas and hope that my state doesn't try to pass legislation like this - ever! Everyone deserves to love and be loved. Remember that. Thanks.


  • Name: Hoffmgr
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 9:05 AM
    Hometown: Annapolis, MD

    Comment:

    For all of you who judge Ellen for supposedly not donating her money, how much money have YOU donated? What have YOU done to support the cause? You should stop worrying about someone you KNOW is on your side trying to make a difference and take responsibility for your own actions and do something yourself.


  • Name: Keith
    Date posted: 2008-10-15 4:18 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    Where's the outcry on Obama's lack of support in defeating Prop. 8? It anyone OWES us some support it's Obama who takes our money wants our votes and still gives a stage to Yes on 8 homophobes. Yeah, Ellen! Your PSA is great. You've done more for gays and lesbians in CA and the USA who want to get married than just about anyone!


  • Name: Bob
    Date posted: 2008-10-14 10:46 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    Give, Ellen, GIVE!


  • Name: J.C.
    Date posted: 2008-10-14 9:10 PM
    Hometown: Westchester

    Comment:

    My pet peeve with the Advocate: On the story about the porn star who was raped, the Advocate released a URL link directly to his blog, where anyone can easily be exposed to pornography. I feel for the guy, he did not deserve to be raped, but why was it necessary to advertise his business in order to "illustrate" the rape story? But where are the URL links on the story above -- so Advocate readers can make their donation without having to google it and risk donating to a phony website? As a M.A. married gay man, I want to make a donation, and as I reader, I would rather see links to stuff that helps our fight for equal rights. Links for porn are not necessary, thank you very much, Advocate! By the way, the above-mentioned TV ad, recorded by Ellen, was posted on her blog this morning. And leave Ellen alone! At least she is speaking out against Prop. 8, which is a lot more than what other celebrities are doing.


Back to top

Submit a comment for this story:

*Type your comment here (Required, 1000 characters max.):

*Name (Required): 

*Hometown (Required): 

*E-mail address: (Required, but will not be displayed)

Is this comment for publication? 
Yes   No

Daytime phone number: (Required for print publication only and will not be displayed)

Please enter the words you see in the box, in order and separated by a space. Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this service.

  

If you would like to submit a comment for posting, please fill out the form above. 

All comments submitted via this form are subject to posting or publication. (To send a private letter to an Advocate editor or writer, please use the e-mail button at the top of the page, or use snail mail.) If you would like your comment considered for publication in The Advocate magazine, please include your full name, your city of residence, and a phone number where you can be reached during business hours so that we can confirm your identity. Your e-mail address and telephone number are strictly confidential and will not be shared or used for any purpose other than to contact you about your comment.

See the Contact page for sending comments for reasons other than responding to Advocate editorial and news stories.

Please note that comments sent by fax or snail mail are unlikely to be posted, although they will be considered for publication along with all letters received via e-mail or via this Web page. Comments that chiefly concern Advocate.com content will be considered for posting only on the Web site. The Advocate reserves the right to edit submitted comments for grammar, spelling, obscenities, or libel; we will, however, do our best to preserve the original comment's style and intent. Comments considered for publication in The Advocate magazine may also be edited for length.

More Exclusives
  • Great American Couple
    In an exclusive excerpt from his new book, Hollywood Bohemians: Transgressive Sexuality and the Selling of the Movieland Dream, Brett L. Abrams explores the relationship between Cary Grant and Randolph Scott, who led homosexual lives right under everyone's nose.
  • Mormons Gone Wild
    After one man undresses missionaries for his calendar, LDS Church–owned Brigham Young University strips him of his degree.
  • Constructive Impatience
    Stung by the Warren decision, GLAAD's former executive director Joan Garry offers the Obama transition team some sage advice.
  • Boxer Goes Trans for Eli Stone
    Often perceived as male by confused casting agents, boxer-body builder turned actor Dallas Malloy felt a deep connection to the trans minister she plays on Eli Stone.
  • Mamma Mia! Rises Again
    Meryl Streep and company managed to top Harry Potter and Titanic at the U.K. box office, and now Mamma Mia! is poised to break similar records on DVD. Director Phyllida Lloyd talked to Advocate.com about bringing one of the biggest musicals of all time to the big screen.
  • The Other White Meat
    As one of the subjects of the documentary about the drag pageant circuit, Pageant, opening in select theaters, and one of the contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race, premiering next month on Logo, Victoria "Porkchop" Parker may not look or act like your typical female impersonator, but make no mistake, she is one of the best.
  • The Religious Defense
    In an excerpt from her new book, Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians, author Candace Chellew-Hodge incorporates the wisdom of Xena: Warrior Princess to illustrate her theories as to how gay and lesbian people of faith can protect themselves from those who attack their views.
  • Photo Finish
    Did Prop. 8 backlash cause art censorship -- or its reversal -- at Brigham Young University? Could be, as BYU photography student J. Michael Wiltbank found when his contribution to a two-week-long art exhibition -- eight pairs of benign portraits, each depicting an LGBT-identified BYU student alongside a supportive friend -- had been removed.
  • The Divine Miss M.
    Since the death of performer Wayland Flowers in 1988, his over-the-top puppet creation Madame has been seen only sporadically. But with the launch of her new casino tour, Madame is back.
  • Whither NLGJA?
    The leading professional organization for LGBT journalists is facing a crisis that threatens its very survival. In a changing media landscape and a tough economy, how does a small nonprofit live up to its mission and retain members?
  • The Road to Equality
    Barbara Boxer, the U.S. senator from California, understands why her gay constituents are furious over Rick Warren's role in the inauguration -- it feels like Proposition 8 redux.
  • A Call to Action for Barack Obama
    In the wake of the decision by President-elect Barack Obama to select Reverend Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration, Equality California executive director Geoff Kors calls on Obama to live up to his promise of "One America" and prove he is the ardent supporter of LGBT equality he claims to be.
  • Gays Shut Out of Cabinet
    As if the news of antigay pastor Rick Warren's invitation to deliver Obama's inaugural invocation weren't insulting enough to LGBT Americans, we're now hit with the reality that no openly gay people will be seated at the cabinet table to weigh in on the next antigay flap.
  • Wading Your Way Through Hollywood
    Reichen Lehmkuhl switches hats for his second column and leaves the activist at the door as he offers some sage advice for Hollywood hopefuls. Whether you're gay or straight, what Reichen has to say about "talent" puts the business that is entertainment into perspective.
  • The Better Angels?
    President-elect Barack Obama's choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration puts LGBT Americans on notice: While the next four years hold unprecedented promise for our rights, we may sometimes feel forsaken.
  • Stage Doubt, Screen Doubt
    On Broadway, Doubt -- the story of a steely nun facing off against a heroic priest, whom she fixates on for giving special attention to the school’s only black (effeminate) kid -- worked because of a top notch cast and its unique brand of stylized narrative. If only the excellent Meryl Streep and Viola Davis were enough to make the movie work quite so well.
  • People of the Year: Al Gore, Chad Griffin, and Lawrence King
    This week Advocate.com is going to highlight our remaining People of the Year, who range from activists to entertainers, politicians to students. Today we take a look at environmentalist Al Gore, political strategist Chad Griffin, and slain student Lawrence King.
  • Dame Edna's Fond First Farewell
    As Dame Edna prepares to bid audiences adieu with her First Farewell Tour (take that, Cher), she sits down with Advocate.com to talk about her maybe gay son, Michelle Obama's dresses, and her plans for matrimony in America.
  • Push for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Review Gains Steam
    In the last week both Gen. Colin Powell and the Joint Chiefs chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, have gone on record about reviewing the military's gay ban, leading some D.C. insiders to conclude that the incoming administration has put the wheels in motion behind the scenes.