Replies

“The DNC and the White House see the gay community as an ATM,” Aravosis wrote in response to Tobias. “Well, the GayTM just ran dry.”

Aravosis also told OpenSecrets Blog that he has personally received e-mail copies of gay rights donors responding to contribution solicitations from Democratic Party leadership committees “basically saying, ‘go to hell.’”

In addition, Aravosis noted that while AMERICAblog helped raise $43,000 for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and Aravosis personally donated $1,000 to the campaign (”more than I’ve ever given to any politician,” he added), he said Obama and many other Democrats should not expect similar support in the future.

“I don’t plan on that again,” Aravosis said, “unless some miracle happens.”

The Don’t Ask, Don’t Give campaign doesn’t explicitly call for a “pause” in donations to all Democrats — just those not fully in support of their key issues. Donations are still encouraged to candidates who back marriage equality, support the employment non-discrimination act and the campaign’s other legislative priorities. And Aravosis admits he is aware of gay rights advocates continuing to financially support individual candidates, “who are actually trying to fulfill their campaign promises.”

Some big names have signed onto the strategy — for instance, David Mixner.

Mixner, as OpenSecrets Blog previously reported, is a prominent gay Democratic fundraiser, who, by the Center’s tally, has donated $98,000 of his own money to Democratic candidates and committees in the last two decades. He’s also reportedly raised another $30 million for candidates and charity organizations across the country. But since cycle he’s only given to a handful of candidates — all Democrats fully supportive of equality for gay Americans.

“No more excuses. Stop it. Close the checkbooks to those who are not fully on our side,” Mixner, who has reportedly raised more than $1 million for openly gay and lesbian candidates, wrote on his blog late last year.

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/11/gay-rights-donations-plummet-amid-c.html