Ten Proposition 8 Donors Worth Boycotting

November 10, 2008 · Print This Article

Donors to the fight against Proposition 8 in California received a lot of attention and accolades for their generosity. Celebrities like Ellen and Brad and large companies like Apple and Google did their part to fight for equality - and for that, we thank them. Unfortunately, the companies and individuals who spent their money on helping to ban gay marriage didn’t receive as much press. It only seems fair then that we point out who these bankrollers of the passage of Prop 8 were and do our part to ensure that - in the future - they don’t have quite as much money to put toward spreading hate. So listed here are the Ten Proposition 8 Donors Worth Boycotting.

10. Jeff Kent. Most recently of the Dodgers, this Major League Baseball player is currently a free agent. But he donated $15,000* to help Proposition 8 win, so when and if he gets picked up – let’s all root for his team to loose.

9. North American Health Care Inc. Donald G. Laws of Laguna Beach, CA, and Director of North American Health Care Inc, gave $100,000 to help Prop 8 pass. North American Health Care, Inc. contracts on a formal and informal basis with health care providers in the Western United States. So before we decide where to put our gay loved ones in need of a nursing home or long-term care facility, let’s be sure it’s not one owned by North American Health Care Inc.

8. Pacific Shores Masonry of Corona, California. Need some stone work done? Don’t use these guys – they donated $125,000 to Yes on 8. So really, they would probably turn down your business anyway… because you’re gay.

7. The Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. San Diego is a beautiful and romantic city to visit – just don’t stay at the hotel owned by Doug Manchester. He donated $125,000 to help prevent you from marrying the person you love.

6. Grand del Mar Hotel in San Diego. Also owned by Doug Manchester. Visit http://www.boycottmanchesterhotels.com.

5. The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) in San Deigo. GUHSD was the first public school district in California to go on record in support of Proposition 8 – effectively teaching students throughout their school system all about hate. The board voted 4-0 on July 31st to pass a resolution endorsing the ballot. ** So unless you want your kids to learn about inequality and bigotry, don’t send them to school in the GUHSD.

4. The Vineyard Group, LLC of Mesa/Queen Creek, AZ. The Vineyard Group is part of Cardon Hiatt Bowden, a real estate and investment company based in Mesa, AZ. They donated $160,000. So don’t buy any land or houses from them.*

3. Elsa Prince and family. This one is a little complicated because Elsa Prince, who donated $450,000 to Yes on 8, doesn’t actually own any companies. She was the wife of the late auto parts manufacturer Edgar Prince, who owned Prince Automotive, but since that company was later bought out by Johnson Controls, boycotting it doesn’t apply. But - Prince’s son Erik serves as Vice President of the Edgar & Elsa Prince Foundation, which is a major donor to the Alliance Defense Fund – a group that works to promote that definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. Erik also owns Blackwater Worldwide – the highly controversial private security company with federal contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan worth a reported $500 million/year. So, if in the business of buying security solutions and training, don’t go to Blackwater Worldwide.

2. Container Supply Company. Looking for metal and plastic containers including pails and cans for the food, dairy, and general packaging industries? Neither are we. But – should the need arise – don’t go the Container Supply Company of Garden Grove California to fulfill it. The President of the company, Robert Hurtt, donated $550,000 to “contain” your rights.

1. A-1 Self Storage of San Diego. Be sure to store your belongings anywhere but one of the many A-1 Self Storage locations in Southern California because the owners, Terry Caster and family, donated $693,000 to Prop 8.