Spielberg Follows Brad Pitt's Gay-Positive Lead, Actual Gays MIA

Kyle Buchanan — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Hot on the heels of a philanthropic Brad Pitt, director Steven Spielberg has become the latest celebrity to make a major donation to the campaign to defeat the anti-gay Proposition 8. Spielberg matched Pitt's donation of $100,000 to fight the proposition, which would take away the same-sex marriage rights awarded to Californians this year. As terrific as it is for the industry's straight allies to open up their pocketbooks, we can't help but take a page from homo icon Kathy Griffin and wonder: "Where my gays at?" Specifically, why haven't gay stars like the recently married Ellen DeGeneres contributed to a movement that still lags millions of dollars behind its well-funded, religious opposition? IN magazine broke down some of the other queer power players who are too busy watching Work Out reruns to contribute:

Also missing (as of Sept. 10) from the rolls were: Rosie O’Donnell, whose Feb. 27, 2004, marriage to Kelli Carpenter was nullified; Sir Elton John, who tied the civil partnership knot with partner David Furnish in England; rock star Melissa Etheridge, whose domestic partnership/wedding to actress Tammy Lynn Michaels Sept. 22, 2003, was celebrated in In Style magazine.

Other producers and directors not on the list include Paul Colichman (here!TV) Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters), Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), Bryan Singer (Superman Returns), Joel Schumacher (Batman & Robin), and Gus Van Sant, though Bruce Cohen, who produced Milk, directed by Van Sant, was recently married and did contribute. Max Muchnick (Will & Grace) also contributed, as did David Geffen, partner in DreamWorks, who gave $50,000, and Bryan Lourd, managing partner of Creative Artists Agency who contributed $5,000.

Since when did Hollywood's gay mafia become so recalcitrant? Pony up, ladies and gentlemen, or risk a lifetime of whispered insults and cold, Abercrombie-clad shoulders next time you stop at the Abbey for an innocent, politically agnostic mojito.

[Photo Credit: AP]

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

Mega A-Gays Missing in Fight Against Prop 8 [In]

Gawker: defamer, inglorious holes

Spielberg Follows Brad Pitt's Gay-Positive Lead, Actual Gays MIA