Hollywood
producer and real estate tycoon Steve Bing will donate the
largest sum to fight California's proposed gay marriage ban
from the entertainment industry. Bing will give
$500,000 to No on Proposition 8, according No on 8
political strategist Chad Griffin. His donation will
also be the largest non-LGBT gift to the campaign.
Griffin contacted
The Advocate to announce the donation, which
comes on the heels of an announcement from Equality
California that fund-raising for No on 8 is gaining on
the opposition. Still, donations need to keep rolling
in, Equality California campaign director Patrick
Guerriero urged at a briefing Tuesday for the LGBT press.
Proposition 8, if
passed, would amend the California constitution to
prohibit gay or lesbian couples from marrying.
Other celebrities
who have given to the cause include Brad Pitt,
Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, and T.R. Knight, each
donating $100,000. Pete Wentz and his band Fall Out
Boy donated $50,000, and TV talk-show host-comedian
Chelsea Handler gave $5,000.
Melissa Etheridge
and Mary J. Blige will headline a fund-raiser to
benefit No on 8 on October 21. Hosted by business magnate
Ron Burkle, the benefit will take place at his Beverly
Hills estate and is to be cohosted by Spielberg. Other
guests are expected to include Los Angeles mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom,
organizational leaders, and celebrities. (Michelle
Garcia, The Advocate)
