Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Gay Couples Seek Donations, Not Dinnerware

Contributions to fight Calif. ballot measure take place of registry

By Green Point,  Newser User

Posted Jul 15, 2008 6:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Soon-to-wed gays and lesbians in California are directing well-wishers to hold off on gifts and instead donate money to fight a measure that would nullify their unions, Reuters reports. "The usual notion of a huge reception or acquiring your first microwave is not really happening," says John Duran of Equality California, whose wedding registry site has raised thousands for the cause.

Even the service industry is kicking in, with hotels, photographers, and caterers pledging 10-50% of proceeds from same-sex weddings to the cause. Ellen DeGeneres' high-profile "dream wedding" to Portia de Rossi could also help the fight. "A lot of undecided voters in California are middle-aged women," Duran said, "and many of them watch Ellen on television and think very highly of her."

Ellen DeGeneres, right, plans a dream wedding with girlfriend Portia de Rossi.
Ellen DeGeneres, right, plans a "dream wedding" with girlfriend Portia de Rossi.   (AP Photo)
Amber Weiss and Sharon Papo, both of Berkeley, Calif., hold hands during their wedding ceremony, June 17, 2008.
Amber Weiss and Sharon Papo, both of Berkeley, Calif., hold hands during their wedding ceremony, June 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Darryl Bush)
John Lewis, left, puts a wedding ring on the hand of Stuart Gaffney, both of San Francisco, as they exchange marriage vows at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2008.
John Lewis, left, puts a wedding ring on the hand of Stuart Gaffney, both of San Francisco, as they exchange marriage vows at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Darryl Bush)
Brad and I have been together for 21 years so we have our toasters and mixers. What are we going to do with more things? former Star Trek star George Takei says, pushing donations instead.
"Brad and I have been together for 21 years so we have our toasters and mixers. What are we going to do with more things?" former Star Trek star George Takei says, pushing donations instead.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne