Steve Bing Gives
Hollywood's Heftiest No on Prop. 8 Donation

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)