Calif. Hyatt
Boycotted After Owner Donates to Prop. 8

Gay rights advocates have begun boycotting the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego after owner Doug Manchester donated $125,000 to Proposition 8, reported the San Diego Union-Tribune's website.

The hotel mogul's contribution to the proposed amendment banning same-sex marriage in California has struck a nerve among gay rights supporters.

Fred Karger, an organizer of the boycott, told the Union-Tribune, "This is someone who is giving an exorbitant amount of money to write discrimination into the constitution for the very first time."

Manchester told the Union-Tribune earlier this year that he decided to support Proposition 8 after learning that schools teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman could be sued for discrimination.

Despite also referring to his Catholic belief that marriage is between a man and a woman, he told the Union-Tribune that his hotels and restaurants would welcome gay and lesbian clientele. (The Advocate)