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10/30/2008
Rosie and Prop 8 donation: Her own words
Okay, so we're going to post the following without judgement, quips, commentary, or really much of anything. But since the subject of why politically engaged power dyke Rosie O"Donnell has (apparently) not (yet) given cash to the Proposition 8 fight has become a topic of conversation in some gay activist circles, we do want to share any insight that we may have on the matter.
So without further ado, here are the Prop 8-pertinent points that Rosie has made on her blog in the past few days. Make of them what you will:
(these are Prop 8 related Q&A's posted at various times from 10/14 to present day. The blue text is Rosie's response to user-submitted queries)
Thoughts? Rage? Support? A Betty Rubble laugh? Post your reactions in the comments section.
"Ask Ro" [Rosie's blog]
***UPDATE, 11/2: She's posted three more Q&A's:
**UPDATE, 11/3: And another:
:
Your thoughts
Even if its 1,000.00 its symbolic and would mean a lot to many people. I dont make much money as a part time retail store employee and I gave almost 1% of my income already. We all should do our part to make California and the USA a better place.
Posted by: Matt from California | Oct 30, 2008 2:55:18 PM
JH SO Why don't you have up here yet about our ####1 New Supporter....OBAMA.
There was a whole AD on CNN News site this AM that took you to No On Prop H8 site showing Obama's support. He calls it Divisive, Discriminatory, Unfair, Unnecessary and WRONG.
Note HACKERS have been after the No On Prop 8 site from many in state and OUT of State sites... see the eqca.org report on this.
Posted by: LOrion | Oct 30, 2008 3:24:50 PM
This sucks!
I don't live in California either and I still sent some money and I got laid off a few months ago! I made that sacrifice to help out the overall cause of LGBT equality. Because as California goes, so goes the nation.
Perhaps Rosie still has a lot of internalized homophobia?
I can't explain it.
Any amount would have helped. Heck, even $10.00 would be something to help the cause.
For the cost of wiping her butt, she could have helped save same-sex marriage in California!
California - Vote "NO" on Prop. 8!
Arizona - Vote "NO" on Prop. 102! AGAIN!
Florida - Vote "NO" on Amendment 2!
Connecticut - Vote "NO" on Question 1!
Posted by: Eddie89 | Oct 30, 2008 4:53:22 PM
Wow, I just lost a lot of respect for Ms. O'Donnell. She comes off as immature and selfish in those comments.
I've gone out of my way to defend her when people I know say mean things, just because she's "part of the community."
Well, not anymore. She clearly doesn't care about the rest of us, so I don't care about her. As far as I'm concerned, she might as well be a Prop 8 supporter.
Posted by: Jackson | Oct 30, 2008 5:32:34 PM
P.S. I'm a poor college student, and I only make $300 a month. I've donated $225. That's almost a whole month's work for me! She can't give a dime? Screw her.
Posted by: Jackson H | Oct 30, 2008 5:34:22 PM
It's hard for me to see Rosie's response as anything other that dismissive and offensive. And her refusal to contribute clearly is not out of forgetfulness or a lack of ability.
I suppose I shouldn't take it personal. But it does affect my life. And it sure feels personal.
Posted by: Timothy | Oct 30, 2008 6:09:18 PM
A small clarification for Alison, one of Rosie's critics.
Ellen did contribute. She recorded an ad personally asking Californians not to vote for Prop 8. And then paid $100,000 to have it air.
Posted by: Timothy | Oct 30, 2008 6:14:50 PM
Timothy: That comment was made on 10/14, which was before the Ellen donation became public.
Posted by: G-A-Y | Oct 30, 2008 6:25:04 PM
You would think Rosie would give money just to make sure Kel's business didn't suffer a future boycott.
You would be wrong.
Posted by: someone with better sense | Oct 30, 2008 7:08:56 PM
Fuck Rosie.
She's not funny and she's a nightmare to work for.
Posted by: johnozed | Oct 30, 2008 8:57:11 PM
No offense meant to Rosie or her fans, but Rosie's brash, unstable outbursts over the years make her support of ANY high-profile campaign a bad idea. I wouldn't want her trying to sell Cheerios, let alone be a voice for the No on 8 movement. If someone's on the fence with regard to Prop 8, I don't want them to have an impulsive negative reaction when they hear it's one of Rosie's causes.
We should be thankful she's staying out of this, frankly.
Posted by: NotARosieFan | Oct 30, 2008 8:57:28 PM
I take offense to the idea that needing to raise millions of dollars to get what we want is something that's OK. Do you know how many homeless gay teens thrown out by their bigot parents that goddamned money could have clothed/fed/housed? Or how many years of HIV research it could have funded in some labs. Hell, devoting this much money in four little bigot states could probably get some employment/housing protection for the gays living there. I'm sick of this bullshit, politics is a sewer system, we should be marching, protesting, performing acts of civil disobedience...and if that doesn't work, riot. But I think we're all just a little too comfortable to ever do that. I'm sad that I don't have any real political activists to follow, like they had when our fight first started, or like the blacks had during their struggles for equality. And I don't have the charisma or know-how to be one of those leaders.
Anyway, I think you should all take a look at what other worthy causes Rosie donates her money to, and if it turns out you can still decide to degrade her, than whatever...but I don't want my equality to come from having deeper pockets than the other guy, or to wait for bigots to "tolerate" me.
Posted by: paul | Oct 30, 2008 10:37:27 PM
It is odd that Rosie wouldn't at least donate some money to defeat Prop 8 in CA. But then, I don't really know her or what her motives are right now.
As for Paul's post above crying about the money. Get over it Paul. Open your eyes. See the big picture. Protests and the old style activism don't work the same way anymore. where it's at right now is in California and Proposition 8. Have you donated money? Volunteered? Written to relatives in Ca? If you haven't, then you're sitting out on your own history and making excuses that make no sense.
Your whole argument boils down to: why are we spending so much money to free the slaves when we should be spending that money on feeding them, protecting them against abusive masters and funding research to cure Cotton Hand.
Boo hoo all you want about the power of money, you might as well scream at the sky for being blue, but you're wasting your own potential to contribute and influence the history that's flowing past you right this very moment. Stop complaining and get to work.
Posted by: Patrick | Oct 31, 2008 2:07:34 AM
I rarely agree with Donald Trump about anything. But maybe the Donald was right about Rosie O'Donnell. Frankly, those snarky responses reveal a lot about Rosie's..."ugly soul." The gay community in San Francisco literally rolled out the red carpet for her wedding in 2004. The least she could do is give them $1,000 as a kind of reimbursement.
Posted by: James | Oct 31, 2008 3:21:08 AM
Not only won't she lift a finger to defeat Prop 8, she doesn't even think it's necessary to explain why. Incredible! I remember when she parachuted into San Francisco in 2004 (and got sent to the front of the long lines of same-sex couples waiting to marry), but now she won't write a check to save our civil rights. Screw you, Rosie!
Posted by: Bobster1985 | Oct 31, 2008 7:43:38 AM
I don't understand why everyone looks to Rosie O'Donnell on this issue. Clearly, she is not interested and never has been one to publicly opine on politics. It is healthy to make a note of this, and regard her as you will. As with anyone else in life, if they don't support you, don't support them. I do not support Rosie O'Donnell, and her failure to respond to these important issues works against her. She will have to deal with the consequences of that, which will most likely result in the loss of the gay fan base. That was the one thing she had going for her, and now she has effed that up too. She makes herself suffer.
Posted by: Cassidy | Oct 31, 2008 8:32:23 AM
I think it's weird that people are fixated on whether Rosie has donated or not. I read her blog often and "get" her spirituality and where she's at in her life. I would bet, as a celebrity, especially as an "out" celebrity, that it becomes overwhelming and annoying when people around the country bug you to make a statement or "show your support". I respect Rosie's decision. There are MANY of us, as well as celebrities, who have stepped up for Prop 8. Why the fixation on Rosie???
Posted by: Matt | Oct 31, 2008 10:24:52 AM
Matt: I wouldn't call it a "fixation." I think people just find it a little odd considering how public she has been in the past.
Posted by: G-A-Y | Oct 31, 2008 10:31:17 AM
One thing to note, in terms of donations: There is sometimes a delay in reporting. I have donated twice in the past week, and know of someone else who has donated in my name. None of those donations have hit the public list yet.
I'm not saying it applies to Rosie, but it is important to note that the rolls are not always 100% up to date.
Posted by: G-A-Y | Oct 31, 2008 10:41:55 AM
I am appalled at Rosie. She made it here for her wedding, and now she disappears? The rest of us are busting our butts out here, trying to protect our marriages and the right for the rest of you to come out here and get married or carry this to your own state. We are being hammered- they had seven ads in thirty minutes on the morning news just now. They are on every street corner. They have an entire stadium this weekend. They imported LDS missionaries from al over. We need help from each and every member of the community. We are all giving, making calls, walking th=e strets, standing on corners. Rosie is going on another cruise. This isn't about where anyone lives. It's about the entire Gay and Lesbian community- the same one they market cruises to. No support for R Families? No cruising with R Family...
Posted by: Jill | Oct 31, 2008 10:49:16 AM
Throwing money at this proposition is not the way to beat it, is it? Do ads, posters, calls, etc change a persons bigotted ways? Is this just a gay communities rallying call, WE NEED TO RAISE MORE MONEY THAN THE HATERS!!!! I agree with Rosie, I think, because she wants you to vote no, but doesn't think throwing money at this is the answer. Changing peoples minds will do it. If California voters want to be known as gay haters, I think, GOOD FOR THEM, and no amount of money will change their minds. David and Goliath comes to mind, eventually David killed Goliath with one stone.
Posted by: Glenn | Oct 31, 2008 11:13:02 AM
WE DON'T LIVE IN CALIFORNIA. IT IS NOT OUR FIGHT! LEAVE HER ALONE!
Posted by: dj | Oct 31, 2008 11:19:25 AM
DJ: Are you being serious? If so, who is "we"?
Posted by: G-A-Y | Oct 31, 2008 11:21:51 AM
"i think u r a moron"
Ugh. I wouldn't be surprised to see Rosie become a Log Cabin Republican - she already has the "I Got Mine" attitude. If Rosie can't support us, then I'm not supporting her - I will not be spending money on any of her R Family Cruises, concerts, DVDs, nothing.
Posted by: Jon | Oct 31, 2008 11:27:26 AM
yes, g.a.y. nailed it.. .people are fixated on her because she always feels like she has the right to be so vocal about other things... so not speaking out about this, one of the most important issues facing our rights, is disappointing. i also agree with james about maybe trump was right about rosie and her 'ugly soul' ... i remember reading that she was having a feud with someone at her magazine's publishing company and she said that this woman deserved to have cancer. i think you have to question the character of anyone who could actually bring theselves to say something like that. now hearing her respond to these impassioned bloggers in her trademark rude tone confirms what i've thought all along... she's a bully with an extremely angry heart.
Posted by: j | Oct 31, 2008 11:33:09 AM
considering all the contributions the gays have made to madonna, cher, britney, etc., how much have they contributed? they can't contribute toward equality for their fans? really?
Posted by: rick heid | Oct 31, 2008 11:34:05 AM
I don't live in California or even the US for that matter and I'm sure I'll be called out for having an opinion but I do have one.
There is a crisis going on in your country right now. The economy is down the tubes, areas affected by Katrina are still in desperate need, and millions of people don't have access to basic health care.
These celebrities donate money to many very important causes like Katrina relief, children's needs and AIDs research and awareness. While I agree that Prop. 8 is a sickening abomination of modern day politics... can't you agree that much of the money raised to fight it could be better spent elsewhere. Isn't it okay if those few celebrities keep putting their money into other worthwhile causes? I'm just sayin'.
By the way... good luck to America this week. Yes to Obama and no to Prop 8. And when Obama and Biden win somebody put that republic pig back on the first cattle truck back to Alaska.
Posted by: likethejeans | Oct 31, 2008 11:36:16 AM
Equal rights should not be for sale. If prop 8 passes it will one day be overturned because justice always wins in the end.
Posted by: ROB | Oct 31, 2008 11:36:53 AM
Martina Navratilova doesn't live in California either - she lists Florida as her home -- yet she donated $2,500 to help fight Prop 8. Martina gets it, i.e., that as CA goes, so goes the nation. A victory of this magnitude in CA will pave the way for the rest of the nation, and if Obama wins, perhaps even at the federal level. Not to minimize the impact or importance of have ALREADY have won the right to equality. Prop 8 is about TAKING AWAY RIGHTS we have already fought hard for and won -- this same cannot be said for FL or AZ. And if Rosie doesn't get that Prop 8 is the most important vote to ever affect our community nation-wide, then she is pathetic and useless.
Posted by: Nikki | Oct 31, 2008 11:49:40 AM
i am so glad someone brought up the madonna thing. i know she has a lot on her mind right now, but, let's face it, we're the only ones keeping her tired, recycling-everyone-else's-music, ass relevant for the last 20 years. the fact that she never comes out and openly supports our issues is ridic. and, like rosie, shows her true, selfish, ungrateful nature.
Posted by: paul | Oct 31, 2008 11:58:32 AM