Etheridge, Blige, Spielberg, Streisand & More Raise $3.9M For No On Prop 8

Access Hollywood - October 22, 2008 4:34 PM PDT
Story photo: Etheridge, Blige, Spielberg, Streisand & More Raise $3.9M For No On Prop 8Access Hollywood

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Some of Hollywood's biggest stars turned out Tuesday night for a benefit in the fight against California's Proposition 8 - which, if passed, would alter the state's constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. They raised almost 4 million dollars in the fight for marriage equality, the Advocate reported.

The event was hosted at Ron Burkle's Green Acres Estate in Beverly Hills and included headline performers, Mary J. Blige and Melissa Etheridge.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Star Sightings

"Milk" producer Bruce Cohen, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newson, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg also helped host the benefit.

Big spending donors, including Barbra Streisand, were treated to a private dinner before the event.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Gay & Lesbian Hollywood

Following the dinner, guests that included "Hairspray" director Adam Shankman, "Swingtown" creator Alan Poul, "Pushing Daisies" producer Dan Jinks and his partner Matt Whitney, and Jared Leto, filled the back of Burkle's estate to see Mary J. Blige and Melissa Etheridge perform.

Melissa sang "Mary Me Bill" by the Fifth Dimension, switching "Bill" to "Jill." She also treated the crowd to "Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin.

Melissa also reportedly offered to sing any song for a $50,000 donation, which one couple took her up on, asking if she would play their wedding in December -- she kindly agreed.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Pop Stars

Mary lead the crowd in rousing renditions of "Real Love," "No More Drama" and concluded her set with an ethereal and emotional "One."

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Chelsea Handler's 'No On Prop 8' Promo
PLAY IT NOW: Ellen DeGeneres Says Vote NO On Prop 8

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: LGBT - Mary J. Blige - Charities - News - Steven Spielberg

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comments 1-10 of 78  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Tammy T
    And shut up about the celebrities too. They are people just as well, meaning that they have an opinion just as important as we do. They'll support what they want and we'll support what we want.
    report abuseposted January 11, 2009 10:08 PM PST
  • Tammy T
    you @ssholes better shut up a.k.a. Satan and ANTI-%@!*#, you're throwing yourselves into the deepest pit of class sh!t by making fun of these 'loser' homos. I'd like to say that everybody is equal, but when retards like you guys say things like that, it actually makes you below what we call 'scum of the earth'. They are who they are, and They are bet
    report abuseposted January 11, 2009 10:06 PM PST
  • Satan
    Don't be sad all you homosexuals, you will always have a place down here in the deepest darkests pits of HELL! All of you queers will die sometime, why not make it sooner and kill yourself now? I will be waiting. Your pal, Satan.
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 8:24 PM PST
  • anti-fag
    Ha Ha! In addition to being an abomination to society, all you homosexuals have just lost your war against prop 8. It shows that you homos truly are LOSERS!
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 6:57 PM PST
  • Sweety
    It’s not legal to discriminate now, and it still won’t be legal if Prop 8 passes. Children in public schools are going to be exposed to many different ideas, cultures, beliefs, experiences. None of it will be forced on them, only presented as part of life. They will learn that the world is a big place, and the parent/guardian/family can help them sort through it all at home.
    report abuseposted November 8, 2008 12:32 PM PST
  • tikiman
    love is love stop hating.
    report abuseposted October 31, 2008 1:43 AM PDT
  • cherbear
    The stuck-up stars can fork out all they want & it doesn't change the fact that 8 will be passed & real marriage will be saved. Celebs AREN'T the barometer for morals either. No wonder they sponsor this. Back to the drawing board with this one, Hollywood hothead Libs!
    report abuseposted October 31, 2008 1:40 AM PDT
  • tikiman
    No one messes with the permaner. I can see all of your shame and pervertedness. I want you. I love sin and pain. I am permaner!
    report abuseposted October 29, 2008 3:27 AM PDT
  • tikiman
    I love mccaina and palin so much. I hate everyone else. I hate I hate hate hate.
    report abuseposted October 29, 2008 3:26 AM PDT
  • tikiman
    My butt hurts really bad ,but I am a homo Christian and I hate everyone.
    report abuseposted October 29, 2008 3:25 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 78  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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