New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
has pledged another $500,000 to support pro-gay marriage campaigns in
Maine, Washington state and Minnesota.
“Marriage equality is the next big
step in America's long march of freedom,” Bloomberg said in a
statement announcing the contributions. “I do not believe that
government has any business telling one class of couples that they
cannot marry.”
The contributions are intended to spur
matching donations.
Bloomberg is giving $250,000 to the
campaign supporting Referendum 74, which would uphold a gay marriage
law approved by Washington lawmakers.
The campaigns to defeat a
constitutional amendment defining marriage as a heterosexual union in
Minnesota and legalize gay nuptials in Maine will each receive
$125,000.
According to Minnesotans United for All
Families, Bloomberg's gift has already been matched by a dozen
Minnesota businesspeople.
“Business leaders across the state –
and those around the nation, like Mayor Bloomberg – have made it
clear that this amendment is bad for business,” said Richard
Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families.
Bloomberg, considered a key ally in
legalizing such unions in New York last year, earlier this month gave
$250,000 to the campaign working to uphold a similar law in Maryland.