Secretive Gay Donors Back Candidates Nationwide

Group of donors organizes to put millions of dollars behind pro-gay pols
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 1, 2008 7:19 AM CDT
Secretive Gay Donors Back Candidates Nationwide
Marchers carry a rainbow flag at the gay pride parade along Fifth Avenue in New York on Sunday, June 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

A secretive group of wealthy gay activists who call themselves the Cabinet has been pouring huge sums into defeating anti-gay political candidates across the country, Time reports. The seven members of the Cabinet are estimated to have injected at least $7.8 million into races nationwide since 2004, and have earned a reputation in the gay community as a sort of "homosexual justice league."

Spokespeople for the publicity-shy Cabinet stress that the group—whose members range from dotcom millionaires to heirs of industrial fortunes—is not breaking any donations rules. Analysts see the group's clout as part of a wider shift in gay and leftist politics, as rich donors emerge in place of the old grass-roots movements. Some worry that the big checks are breeding a damaging complacency among groups once spurred by outrage to push for change.
(More political donations stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X