Big Prop 8 supporter divorces

Hypo-freaking-crites, everyone last one of them.

In July 2008, hotelier and developer Doug Manchester donated $125,000 to help gather signatures for a proposition that would ban same-sex marriage in California. The early money was crucial to getting the initiative—which ultimately passed—on the ballot. At the time, he told The New York Times that he made the donation because of “my Catholic faith and longtime affiliation with the Catholic Church,” which preferred that marriage remain between a man and a woman. Indeed, the Catholic Church has vehemently opposed gay marriage. Then again, it’s also not too keen on divorce.

On Oct. 9, 2008, Manchester ended 43 years, eight months and nine days of marriage to Elizabeth Manchester by moving out of their La Jolla abode.

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Equality California wants Prop. 8 repeal in 2012 election

I was just on a conference call being hosted by Equality California on the effort to repeal Prop. 8 in that state. There has been an on-going debate in California about when to hold the referendum to repeal Prop. 8 -- 2010 or 2012.

Marc Solomon, EQCA's marriage director, just announced that the state's largest LGBT group wants to wait until 2012 to have a referendum on the repeal of Prop. 8. EQCA leaders reported that the group has been studying this issue for months by doing research, analyzing voting trends and talking to its members, partners and funders. Bottom line: The group thinks an election in 2012 provides the best chance to win. Today, EQCA released a report, Winning Back Marriage in California, which backs up its decision.

On the call, Solomon noted that "The biggest predictor of where someone stands on marriage is their age." In California, sixty percent of voters under 30 are solid supporters of marriage equality, while only 23% oppose it. There could also be a court action through a decision in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, which is that federal suit initiated by Ted Olson and David Boies.

This won't be the end of this debate. Read More...

The Advocate on the campaign to save marriage equality in Maine

As the gay leaders in California continue the drama and debate among themselves how to proceed on the repeal of Prop. 8 (which wouldn't be an issue now if many of those gay leaders had run a sophisticated campaign instead of whatever it is they did), there is an actual campaign underway to save marriage in Maine. Anyone who reads AMERICAblog.com knows that, but unfortunately, not everyone does. But, that's starting to change. Last night, Kerry Eleveld from the Advocate posted one of the first national articles on the Maine campaign. She talked to the leaders of the campaign, including the campaign manager, Jesse Connolly. And, she provided the financial situation:

Opponents of Maine’s same-sex marriage law have the upper hand financially thus far, raising more than $343,000 compared to No on 1’s $143,000, according to mid-July filings with the State Ethics Commission.

Four groups account for $341,000 of the $343,000 anti–gay marriage funds: the New Jersey–based National Organization for Marriage contributed $160,000; the Roman Catholic diocese of Portland anted up $100,000; the Knights of Columbus chipped in $50,000, and Focus on the Family Maine added $31,000. But the Stand for Marriage PAC has also spent a little over $293,000 to date, much of it on professional signature-gathering companies.

Marriage equality proponents had a total of 501 donors, according to a campaign spokesman, with the largest donation of $50,000 coming from Maine resident Diane Sammer, $25,000 from the Human Rights Campaign, $10,000 from the American Civil Liberties Union, and $10,000 from another state resident Jane Begert. An HRC spokesperson said the organization plans to chip in an additional $100,000 over the next couple months.

No on 1 finance director Andy Szekeres, who served as chief fund-raiser for Colorado representative Jared Polis, says people are a little fatigued coming on the heels of the Prop. 8 campaign.

“But all roads for marriage are running through Maine right now,” he says. “If we want to make a statement to advance the gay rights movement forward across the country, Maine is a good place to start.”

Andy Szekeres is right. All roads run through Maine right now. And, we can't lose this one. There is an excellent team in place to manage the operation. They just need the resources now.

Contribute to No on 1/Protect Maine Equality via our ActBlue page. It's easy. It's safe and all the money goes to the campaign. ActBlue make it easy. And, Maine is a cheap state. A little goes a long, long way. Read More...

The Mormon architect of our "aggressive interrogation" policy

On the lookout for business opportunities, he and a buddy found torture. Why does it matter that he's Mormon? Because the Mormons are spending tens of millions in state after state trying to force Christians to live under their "better" religious values. It's thus relevant to see what values we're getting. Read More...