Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw donate big to stop California's marriage initiative

As it now stands, backers of California's Proposition 8, the initiative to ban same-sex marriage, have the fundraising lead, nearly $18 million to the foes' $12.4 million.

But that could change. Hollywood is starting to play a big role in the effort to defeat the initiative. Director-producer Steven Spielberg and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw, announced today that they would put in $100,000 to kill the initiative.

The donation matches a $100,000 No-on-8 contribution announced last week by actor Brad Pitt.

Proponents of the initiative include many of the nation's most prominent conservative Christian individuals and organizations, including Focus on Family and the American Family Assn., a group based in Tupelo, Miss., that singles out the entertainment industry as being at the root of many of the nation's woes.

In a statement, Spielberg and Capshaw denounced the initiative: "By writing discrimination into our state constitution, Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation. Such discrimination has NO place in California's constitution, or any other."

Bruce Cohen, producer of the film "American Beauty" and a Los Angeles finance committee co-chair for the No-on-8 campaign, said the Spielberg-Capshaw donation affirmed "their unwavering commitment to equality in such a significant a way."

The donation comes as the No-on-8 campaign begins airing the first ad of the campaign. The spot features a gray-haired heterosexual couple, Sam and Julia Thoron, explaining that they raised three children, all now adults. Their daughter, Liz Thoron, is a lesbian.

Soft music plays and a family picture appears. "My wife and I never treated our children different, we never loved them any differently, and the law shouldn't treat them differently either," Sam Thoron, 69, says.

"If Proposition 8 passes, our gay daughter and thousands of our fellow Californians will lose the right to marry," says Julia Thoron, 68.

Frank Schubert, manager of the Yes-on-8 campaign, called the ad "a blatant appeal to sympathy and emotion."

"I'm not surprised that they're using a heterosexual couple," Schubert said. "I don't think they want to show gay couples. I think they want to make gay marriage as, quote, normal, as possible. They want people to think gay marriage is completely normal, when it was created out of whole cloth by four judges."

California is one of three states with a marriage measure on its November ballot. Arizona and Florida are the others. Proposition 8 would create a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and woman. It would reverse a California Supreme Court decision issued this year that legalized same-sex marriage.

-- Dan Morain

Photo credit: Reuters

Comments

[Steve]

And who in the world are you, Steven Spielberg, to tell US, the voters what to do?

[snowdrift]

I find it funny... The no side is saying marriage is about love and commitment, and the no side is saying marriage is all about sex. Yet the no side is the immoral side? Also framing it emotionally is bad?..... because saying gays marriage is going to destroy the society and bring the wrath of God on us, ie fear mongering, is not emotional?

To steve who is Dobson to tell the CA voter how to vote? He is not even living in CA. I can think for myself and so can you, so dont blame spielburg and I wont blame Dobson.

[Teresa]

This was VOTED on once before and PASSED. The people spoke, then a judge decided that HE would speak for us. Gay people will STILL have the rights that heterosexuals have if we vote YES on Prop 8.

The difference here, and the issue of rights being taken away will come into play if the Spielbergs have their way and people vote no on Prop 8. Doctors are already being forced to do in-vitro fertilizations on gay couples whether it goes against a doctor's beliefs or not. Shouldn't they have the right to choose? If a doctor says no, the gay couple can always go to another doctor...but NO...a gay couple sued and now the doctors have lost their rights. What about adoption agencies being run by christian groups who believe a child should be raised by a mother and a father? If Brad & Angelina have their way, MANY adoption agencies will shut down to avoid going against their beliefs and adopting children out to gay couples. Shouldn't adoption agencies have rights? Apparently not, only gay couples are allowed rights.

Our schools teach children as young as Kindergarten age about marriage. Many of us don't want our children (as young as five years old) being taught that marriage between a man and a woman is EXACTLY the same as marriage between 2 women or marriage between 2 men. But this will be required if enough people vote no on Prop 8.

Prop 8 isn't about the rights of homosexuals. They will still have the right to all the things I listed above and much more. Prop 8 is about PROTECTING the rights of those of us who believe marriage is between a man and a woman. The gay couples will keep their rights. They just want to see OUR rights dwindle away to nothing. What choices do we have? The most important choice right now is to VOTE YES, YES, YES on Prop 8.

[gdread]

Oh give me a break, bigot, er, sorry--misguided fellow child of the creator. You have every right to make a donation and a contribution to the pro-hate, un-American side. Pro-equality Spielberg and his pro-equality wife have the right to speak their piece too. Last I checked, they were citizens and equal under law -- they have as much right to express themselves as you do.

Then again, perhaps the need is not so urgent for you -- you're safely equal under law ( too bad for the rest of us, I guess, but hey, we queers are less than you, right? we and only we deserve to be punished under law for being who God made us to be), plus you've got the help of big-time hate factories -- the Catholic Church, the Mormons, the ever-obedient evangelicals.

God knows what you're doing, and won't you be surprised when She gets upset with you in the end for deliberately hurting her GLBT children... and their children. Love your neighbor as yourself didn't exclude GLBT people last time I checked...

You, fellow child of the creator, are in my prayers.

[Adam G.]

And who the hell are the voters of this state to tell me and my husband that our marriage is not recognized?

Thank you, Mr. Spielberg, for doing the right thing. I hope many others follow your lead.

NO ON 8 = NO ON HATE.

[Steve2]

Steve, I'm sure you're being facetious. I'd be more enraged by tax exempt organizations (such as the Knights of Columbus) using tax free money to support the cause.

[Teresa]

Thank you Natalie Davis for opening my eyes. I didn't realize how misguided I was. And I know all of the hateful things YOU typed must have been typos because the "GLBT Fellow Chldren of the Creator" don't hate. I'm sure the "Hate Factories" - the Catholics, the Mormons, the Evangelical churches also all appreciate your wisdom and your lesson on love. Thank you Natalie, for rescuing US from our hatred. YOUR love for all mankind...er...sorry..."Fellow Children of the Creator"...is obvious and I can tell that you not only care about YOUR rights...you care about us all. So...again...thanks for teaching us.

I think I finally understand. Everyone should step back and allow our "GLBT Fellow Children of the Creator" tell the rest of us how things should be done. How silly of me to think that me or my family have rights. I am not a "GLBT Fellow Child of the Creator" so I need to sit down, and shut up. Come to think of it, we should probably get rid of this ridiculous concept of "VOTING"...probably best to just let a few judges who think they can speak for all the people, make our choices for us.

So, I'm going to go give the first "GLBT Fellow Child of the Creator" I come across a BIG hug and tell her I love her. Maybe you can do the same? Try walking into one of those "Hate Factories" and realize that the people you see there are people too - even though they're not gay...they're people too. Pull yourself out of that bigotted, (oops sorry - I forgot - only straight people are bigots...) selfish (oh - another typo) world and realize that we ALL deserve rights...EVEN people who aren't like you. I must go now and alert the "Hate Factories" that we have been wrong. Natalie said so...so it must be so.

By the way, Natalie - "GLBT Fellow Child of the Creator" (okay...I can't say that anymore...it sounds too much like you heard it on Star Trek or something...) The fact that me and my family are fighting to keep our rights does NOT make us Un-American. My father was a Marine who fought for this country - Expressing your point of view does NOT make you Un-American. Last time I checked, I don't think you even have to be gay to be a true American...but maybe 4 SF judges changed that when I wasn't looking.

Thank you for including me in your prayers...I'll do the same for you.

[Bill]

LOL...Theresa...you are a total mess!! LOL. No really, I thought you were being serious there for a minute with the whole "me and my family are fighting to keep our rights..." bit. WOW. WOW. All I can say is WOW. What gives YOU or YOUR precious little family (most likely born out wedlock) the right to keep others from having the same rights as you? Oh...what is that you say...the Constitution? Ohhhh...now I see. It all makes perfect sense. You think the precious Constitution that your beloved father fought for should be protected from change at all cost. Surely it has no flaws!? Unless of course it is something that you and your kind do not believe in...protecting American's freedom of choice..IE Row-vs-Wade. In that case, you are right there knocking down the Constitution and sticking your pretty little nose in everyone else's business. Well guess what, giving the fags, gays, homos, queers, whatever you prefer to call them the right to marry is not taking away ANY of your rights. You will still be in your same boring, lifeless marriage with your sweet little do-nothing-wrong kids and your pathetic husband which probably hates coming home to you every night. Meanwhile, the fags, gays, homos, queers, whatever you want to call them will be living life to its fullest, traveling the world...in-love...having hot passionate sex...and enjoying their commitment of marriage to one another. Thank God for those judges who have enough common sense to stand up against all the lifeless bigots in this state. Deal with it Teresa or take your conservative views back to Alaska and live with your in-laws.

[benjaminsf]

To Teresa / Comment 2 / You wrote "Prop 8 isn't about the rights of homosexuals. They will still have the right to all the things I listed above and much more." First of all, you listed nothing above except writing "Gay people will STILL have the rights that heterosexuals have if we vote YES on Prop 8." Let's see, we don't get to file as married couples in our Federal Income Tax, we don't have rights to spousal benefits in states where gay marriage isn't allowed . . . in fact, if you really want the truth . . . gay people don't have a lot of the same rights that you refer to in your REALLY, REALLY UNINTELLIGENT AND BIGOTED comment. We have no workplace protection on the federal level and in many states, we have no rights to inheritance from our partners in many states or on the federal level. We don't even have the right to visit our sick partners if s/he ends up in the hospital in many states. YOUR comments confirm that you really don't get it at all.

[Teresa]

To Bill and Benjaminsf...

I wish the best to you and yours. I really don't care to throw hateful comments back and forth and I WOULDN'T dream of GUESSING what your life or love life is like because I've never met either of you. By the way...just so you know...straight people do have exciting love lifes (maybe you've had some bad experiences?) my children AREN'T perfect (I never claimed my family OR myself to be perfect - NO ONE is perfect except for Christ). My husband isn't pathetic - he is a WONDERFUL husband & father. Actually...the ONLY fault I can think of in my husband would be his parents...so your comment about moving in with my In-Laws isn't a pleasant one...PLEASE don't wish that upon me.

I'm afraid people on both sides of this issue are going to suffer and I REALLY do wish happiness for you. So, I truly am sorry for bringing such hateful thoughts to your mind. I think both sides are so caught up in the changes and problems that will occur should the other side win, that we lose sight of the humanity on either side. There ARE loss of rights and problems that will occur should the NO votes win, just as I realize there are loss of righs and problems that will occur for others should the YES vote win. I guess it just comes down to one of those moments in history when one group of people will be happy and the others will be left to deal with the consequences. I just wanted you to know that me and my family don't look at gay people with hatred and contempt. We really try to look at everyone as PEOPLE...HUMAN BEINGS, with lives, feelings, dreams.

I really hope that WHATEVER happens on November 4th can somehow find happiness and peace for EVERYONE.

[Kyle]

I don't understand why two same sex roomates who have sex with each other need the same rights as heterosexual lawfully and Godly married people do. My best friend was in the hospital, I went to see her. If she had a living will to give me permission to make decisions on her behalf I would have. She could have had a will to leave me whatever she chose to leave me. Get your own insurance like regular people do and stop trying to make nothing into something. 2 guys or 2gals don't need to marry one another to take advantage of the blessings afforded to heterosexual couples. Screw who you want, take that up with God but stop messing around with marriage and trying to be something that you are not. Another thing the gays are too sensitive. If someone doesn't agree it's being bigoted or homo phobic. I just don't agree that it's the same so it shouldn't be treated the same.

[Brian]

Where is the Proposition to stop out of state contributions from corporations and extremists that have no business interfering in our state politics?

Where is the Proposition to ban paid signature gathering so that we don't have this constant onslaught of non-sensical ballot initiatives and propositions?

Let me know when those are on the ballot and I'll be there right away to vote Yes and Yes.

Oh and Steven Spielberg is a California citizen and he has every right to contribute to defeating yet another ridiculous ballot referendum that does benefit the people of California in any way shape or form.

[YOURS]

I just have to say that as a teenager, I really dont want to see the next 50-60 years of my life spent praying one day my gay friends will be able to be married. I have a long life ahead of me (I pray) and I hope that I can live in a world that accepts people for who they are as humans. I am writing my argument essay on Prop 8, and I hope it isn't passed.
To all the gay people reading this, I hope you and your significant other will be able to get married when you are ready for it.
NO on prop 8
Vote for our future

[Firme]

Propsition 8 defines how a society views marraige. People who vote no on 8 believe gays should have rights and equality just as straight people do. Everyone has to realize that on Earth there is no justice no eqality and thats dam truth.

The implications of this propsition will echo throughout society for generations. The words we used as children such as "fag" which protected us from accepting a homosexual lifestyle, may take on a different meaning which reflects societies tolerance or acceptance of gays,gay couples and marraiges.

Traditionally sex was associated with marriage, and who can say the traditional or older generations did not live in better world than what the children do now? I mean the number of violent crimes and std's...

In a way accepting gay marriage is accepting homosexual sex. In certain context, marriage is consummated by sex and marriage and sex go hand and hand. I do not agree in two men having sex or that lifestyle.

Imagine 20 years from now, your in the movie theather with your kid or grandchild and a gay couple sits in front of you. And your grandchild or kid says "that couple looks happy...I want to be happy too..." Society, pop cutlture, media definitately influences the generations and the implications of defiining marriage will reverberate through time in our beliefs and actions.

But who has the right to deny....Well damit we do. This world is not fair, we all know that. But where are we taking it? The wrong path?

I have nothing against gay people. I accept them. And if i had a gay kid, of course i would love the kid. But i would never approve of a gay lifestyle.

This vote isnt so much about whats fair, whats not hurting you or is hurting you, what people are entitled to, but its about how our culture, our society defines marriage and all the implications associated with it throughout time and people of California

[chris]

I am glad this prop failed. If we give marriage rights to gays, we will inturn need to do the same to people that want to marry animals, multiple people, and family members, because all in all, isnt this prop based off of love and rights?

[jimmyK]

Hoorah for the democratic process, Californians have spoken loud and clear. Marriage is between a Man and a Woman. Its ours dont like it make up your own word for the lifelong commitment we call marriage. Do you deserve the rights of a married couple in my opinion NO. Do you have the right to life liberty happiness and all the other freedoms afforded you by the Constitution of course do you have the rights aforded you as a human being , of course. Do you have the right to have sex with a member of the same sex have at er. What you do in your bedroom is no-ones business but your own and I'll fight for that right. But marriage is between legal aged Women and Man. If a 40 year old wants to marry a 11 year old in California by your argument he should have the right to do so or its age discrimination against him.

[Mr.Christian]

To SNOWDRIFT: Can you hear yourself? Just put the word BLACK where you put GAY and you're a &$^% racist. There is absolutely nothing wrong with two people loving each other. Gay is in no way unnatural. It is very common in nature. Even more so the more sentient animals are (Monkeys etc). Finding a mate even in the Caveman sense, has to do with companionship, as much as reprocriation. Spitting a baby out isn't really what it's about either, since love is what is important in raising a child. Oh, and the definition of marraige a I grew up with is "the public declaration of two peoples' life long commitment to each other" so leave the bible at the door when using it as your dictionary.