Brad Pitt donates $100,000 to fight gay marriage ban

Brad Pitt, who once said he won't get married until the right extends to everyone, has donated $100,000 to help fight Prop 8. Our own Tina Daunt has the story:

Brad Pitt announced Wednesday that he's donating $100,000 to fight California's Proposition 8, a November ballot initiative that would eliminate same-sex couples' right to marry.

"Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8," the actor said in a statement.

Pitt's donation marks the largest thus far to the anti-Prop. 8 campaign by an A-list celebrity.

The financial fight over Prop. 8 has been fierce, with gay marriage supporters taking an early fundraising lead. But last month, a $1-million contribution by the Knights of Columbus, followed by infusions of cash from other gay marriage opponents, tipped the balance in favor of those who believe only a man and a woman should be able to marry.

Our own Maloy Moore follows the money in a pair of databases she helped create, which she updates daily. As of today, Prop. 8 opponents have raised $11,119,614.56, while the Prop 8 supporters side has amassed $16,647,476.77. (Pitt's contribution hasn't made it's way to the official tally yet, so add $100,000 to the no side of the equation.)

You can look at total contributions within the state, broken down by county, or you can search the nationwide database (use abbreviations for the states) for an illuminating look at money flowing to both sides of the issue.

So is Brad being altruistic and, at the same time, hoping to hurry along a wedding of his own?

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo: EPA

Comments

[Dave Atkins]

Aristotle said, "Altruism is enlightened self-interest." (Although he said it in Greek.)

So, it doesn't matter, and it gave me warm fuzzies for whatever reason he did it.

[h.w.]

Dave Atkins: Agreed!

[Diana]

What a hypocrite. Pitt has already been married!

[Gina]

Won't get married until everyone can? But, but, but.... what about his marriage to Jennifer Aniston?????

[Bob]

it would be refreshing to see a headline where a famous celebrity endorsed a Republican candidate, or endorsed the political agenda of the conservatives in America. Instead it's the same ol' people supporting the same far left ideas. Pretty sad commentary that people actually want to embrace gay marriage.

[Jim Brown]

C'mon. They are in a new relationship and to make a point, agree to not marry until all can marry. What does this have to do with either of their prior relationships? He didn't say he never got married. He is not a hypocrite. I suggest thinking things through a bit before running your mouth.

[Beverly]

Angelina has changed him. He now doesn't speak for himself but utters only what she wants him to say and does what she wants him to do. They deserve each other.

[lena]

I think Pitt is just trying to draw attention to himself.....again. It's a pointless move. He has been married before and now all of the sudden "until gay people can marry he won't". Give me a break. It's called trying to be the hero and jumping the gun at the wrong time. Get a grip!

[Joanne]

THANK U TO BRAD FOR SUPPORT EQUALITY!!!

[ToBob]

No, Bob, it's sad commentary that in the year 2008 that people like you can't mind your own damn business, along with the government by denying human beings the right to love whomever they choose!

It's NOT your business
It's NOT the government's business
It is unconstitutional just as it was to ban interacial marriage
WE are taxypayers and citizens of this country
We should not be OVERTLY discriminated against because of our sexual orientation.

You, on the other hand, choose to align with that thinking. Let us be and take part in our great country with a union of monogamy!

[Mike H]

I think America needs to fall to their knees and beg God to forgive us for turning this blessed nation into the Soddom & Gommorah of the 21st century.

[Mark]

I'm just laughing at all of the religious Bible-banging, anti-gay haters. They're going to lose, and I hope they all leave California.

[AgreedToBob]

Such close-minded individuals. and i do agree "TOBOB".

Its isn't other people's business.
For those who have religion in mind. Sexual intercourse without marriage is sin, but rarely anyone goes around preaching religious verses and hate about that?.. you know why? because it ISN'T anyones business.

The idea of imposing ones religion against others goes against what america stands for. There is no empirical evidence that reveals Gay marriage ruins society.
It is just empty claims by the ignorant.

[Jay]

I can think of many more truly urgent human needs for this $100,000. But this pathetic overhyped lie of homosexual marriage is really a oxymoron ..its not even real love -its worthless lust.. Lucifer loves to lie to us all in this world, but no one is going to convince the other till there is weeping and knashing of teeth..The lie is too far entrenched now.. Brad, I'm afraid you have the disease of self grandeurization.

[Mar]

Well I'm glad that him and Angelina want to be the happy couple of party A & party B. They won't be husband & wife. I don't know why people think this prop doesn't hurt anyone. Because it does, it hurts men & women who want to raise their families who want to be married as HUSBAND & WIFE...an unacceptable change on a California marriage license.

[Patrick Barnett]

Brad... Can't you think for yourself? Or does Jolie have you under her spell.....

[talkwjohn]

Brad has inspried my wife and I to get out checkbook while we can't give $100,000.00 we can give $10,000.00 and hope this will make a difference equality for all..

[w. mccoy]

Hats off to Brad Pitt for making his contribution. Thank you Brad, I was one of the attorneys who argued the case before the supreme court and I think you for your help..

[Bill]

Tears fill my eyes as I read this heartwarming news of Mr. Pitt's contribution to the No on 8 campaign. Oddly, I was watching a DVD of "A Mighty Heart," which he produced, when I read this. His heart, I'd say, is pretty mighty. He has nothing to gain by giving to Prop 8, except a better world in which to raise his six children. My family has a lot to gain. Our two children (7 and 2), who on June 17, became "legitimate" in the eyes of the law (what a lame, last-century term that is) when my spouse and I were able to get married. They finally have the same legal protections, not to mention simple dignity, provided the children of married couples. Would that David Geffen would get off his filthy rich ass and contribute a little something.

[Georgia]

I agree with Mike H.

[Melanie]

Pitt says "Because no one has the right to deny another their life.." So, when is he going to champion the anti-abortion cause? What a hypocrite!

[Greg De Rosa]

Thank you very much Brad for your support of Human Right for all people.
I have donated what I can as I watch from abroad and celebrate my tenth anniversary with the love of my life, Michael.

Greg De Rosa
Jakarta, Indonesia

[DL]

I think America needs to fall to their knees and beg God to forgive us for turning this blessed nation into a breeding ground of hatred.

[Concerned]

All of this is sad! I must agree with the statement given sin has blinded us to the point to we can no longer distinguish righteousness from lust and desire. I don't have the right to make the decision from you, (choice) but I do have a responsibility to tell you what is right. If you choose to lay with a women or man outside of marriage is sin that's right. Marriage is a beautiful thing but is not to entered into lightly and the BIBLE gives Constitution for it. If we're really honest it's not "love" that's driving us... it's because someone said no, I call it rebellion. Will I argue on this? no because my job is give truth so that when you stand before the judgement seat of Christ, you will be without excuse. All this stuff that seems so important now will not matter then because only what you do for Christ will last.
2 Timothy 4:1-4
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

[Mike]

Melanie, you want to know when Brad Pitt is going to start supporting the anti-abortion cause? He already has. Multiple times. Every time he adopted a child he supported this cause. A huge part of the liberal stance on pro-choice laws includes unwanted pregnancy prevention through education and voluntary contraception. Liberals also support child welfare, adoption funding and fair adoption laws that allow people who would be good parents, including singles and homosexuals, to adopt children to get them out of the foster care system. Liberals policies are pro-life and pro-choice. So adopt a child and help prevent unwanted pregnancies. Then you can start preaching to people like Brad Pitt.