Could these gay and lesbian celebrities please reach down into their very deep pockets to support themselves and the community that put them where they are. Let's go celebs. Donate to No on 8. Keep marriage equality in California.
From The Advocate
An Open Letter to Ellen DeGeneres
"I was shocked to learn that you and so many other gay and lesbian celebrities have not personally given to the No on 8 campaign," writes graduate student Jacob Reitan in his letter to Ellen. "Why is this? You make tens of millions of dollars a year. You and Portia recently got married. Surely you know how important keeping that right is to you and your family. If we are to win, we desperately need your financial support."
By Jacob Reitan
An Advocate.com exclusive posted October 11, 2008
Editors' note: According to the California secretary of state's campaign finance records, as of last Friday, Ellen DeGeneres -- like some other gay celebrities -- has not donated to the campaign to beat Proposition 8. Her publicist didn't return calls seeking comment.
Dear Ellen,
I watched you on Jay Leno the other night. I have been a fan of yours for a long time, long before you came out. I remember watching your show on ABC when it was called These Friends of Mine, before later being renamed Ellen. When you were on Leno, you spoke eloquently about why marriage equality matters to you and why you are so frustrated at the sheer amount of money being spent to support Proposition 8 -- now over $25 million.
As you said, "There are so many people who need money right now, and if you are raising millions of dollars, give it to those people, because you don't need to promote hate."
I agree, Ellen. It would be nice if the Catholic Church or the LDS Church were to redirect the millions they are giving to take away our right to marry to just and loving causes, but that is not the case, and frankly, no appeal will change their minds.
The only real appeal we can make is to ourselves. Will we match them dollar for dollar? Currently, our answer to that question is no. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that the opposition has outraised us by almost two to one, and the effect of this is being seen in the polls. We are down, and if things don't change soon, we will lose.
The lesson we must remember is that freedom isn't free. It never has been. Whenever freedom is won, it is purchased through time, energy, sweat, blood, tears, and yes, money. Our founding fathers knew this; those who marched from Selma to Birmingham knew it too; and in the 30 years since Stonewall, our community has experienced this time and again.
That is why I was shocked to learn that you and so many other gay and lesbian celebrities have not personally given to the No on 8 campaign. Why is this? You make tens of millions of dollars a year. You and Portia recently got married. Surely you know how important keeping that right is to you and your family. If we are to win, we desperately need your financial support.
As someone who has donated to No on 8, I ask you to give. I gave $500, and for me that is a lot. I am a graduate student who faces student loans and credit card debt, but I donated because I know how important marriage equality is to our future.
So please, Ellen, as a fan, as a member of the LGBT community, and most important, as a donor, I am asking you to give now and give generously to No on 8. You know as well as I that we must not lose what we have finally won.
In hope and victory,
Jacob Reitan
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