Jeff Kent opens his checkbook and takes a stand against gay marriage

Jeff Kent, who played second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, has stepped into the emotional world of same-sex marriage, giving $15,000 to backers of the California proposition on Tuesday's ballot that would ban it.

In a disclosure filed with the California secretary of state, Kent listed his occupation as professional baseball player for the Dodgers and his address as Austin, Texas. He gave the $15,000 in a transaction dated Monday but which only now is public.

Proposition 8 would ban same-sex marriage by imposing a California constitutional amendment that would define marriage as being between one man and one woman.

With both sides spending upward of $30 million each, the measure has become the most costly ballot measure ever dealing with a social issue, and the spending is by far the most for any proposition anywhere in the country this year.

Kent, a free agent who is considering retiring, is a potential Hall of Famer who is best known for his years with the San Francisco Giants. A Bellflower native, Kent also played baseball at University of California, Berkeley.

A review of campaign records shows no other donations to federal or California state campaigns by Kent.

Frank Schubert, managing the Yes-on-8 campaign, said he was unaware that Kent had weighed in.

"He has had a stellar career and will no doubt one day be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame," Schubert said. "I wish the Giants had kept Kent and traded [Barry] Bonds."

--Dan Morain

Comments

[Sam]

I live in the UK and we have gay marriage over here. (of a sort, we call it a civil partnership) For that to happen the definition of marriage did not change, Heterosexual couples did not suddenly find their marriages undermined or threatened. Homosexual people were able at last to declare their love for each other and build stronger families and homes.

As far a section 8 goes i see nothing wrong with allowing same sex couples the right to marry. It does not change the fundamental principles or marriage becuase in my understanding (as a christian and also a lesbian) marriage is about promising to love and be faithful to somebody for the rest of your life. Gender has nothing to do with that promise.

To vote yes on Section 8 is cowardly, ignorant and prejudiced.

VOTE NO ON SECTION 8 (trust me it wont hurt! )