Report: 2004 gay marriage fight cost $13M

[kweerwolf]

The 2004 election campaigns that ultimately banned same-sex marriages in 13 states were funded by a mix of national groups, churches and individuals, with ban supporters narrowly outraising opponents and total contributions breaking $13 million, according to a new analysis of state-level fundraising.

Supporters of the state constitutional amendments raised $6.8 million for ballot committees; opponents raised $6.5 million, according to the study by The Institute on Money in State Politics, a nonpartisan research organization in Helena, Mont.

The single largest block of givers were advocates of gay and lesbian rights, donating more than $3 million.

Conservative organizations affiliated with a network called the Arlington Group gave nearly $2 million, the report found. Churches also invested heavily, contributing $1.9 million, overwhelmingly in favor of bans on same-sex marriage.

http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/01/24/3

Idea for a t-shirt: "We wasted $13,000,000 on elections in 2004 and all I got was a lousy boyfriend I can't marry."

[boobooday]

1. Just think

All that money could have bought some killer wedding gifts for the happy couples, thereby helping the economy!

What a waste.

[DRoseDARs]

2. Or feeding/clothing the homeless, or providing some healthcare to the poor

But compassion is such a antiquated notion these days.

[Brian_Expat]

3. It's pathetic

Gay people will spend more time and money on "Brokeback Mountain" than in defending their own civil rights. Brokeback Mountain has already raised 3 times as much money as both sides put into the marriage debate.

I guess we deserve what we get as a result!

[pro_blue_guy]

4. Ugh......

Just think.........all of that money wasted for something which will probably happen in the future!