According to reports at QUEERtimes, local activist and businessman Mel Heifetz has donated one million dollars to the Obama campaign in support of Super PAC, Priorities USA Action campaign.
“I did it after hearing my favorite comedian, Bill Maher, speak of his having given a similar amount as well. It occurred to me we all have to ‘pay it forward’ lest we have a Republican President take our community back to the ’60’s,” said Heifetz to the news organization.
He added, “If Mitt [Romney] were to win, we could have both houses of Congress, the White House and the Supreme Court all taking orders from the religious right–and against us.”
Heifetz says he is hopeful the donation will inspire others to do the same.
QUEERtimes reports:
Since meeting Mel Heifetz several years ago, I have always been impressed with his sense of duty to our community. He has always been a generous person to numerous non-profits and has always given freely of his wealth to queer causes close to his heart and to the political process to help advance our equality.
Heifetz is truly an unsung hero in our community. Never seeking the limelight, he always shines with his generous spirit and kindness of heart. He is not only an example of how to “pay it forward” but is a mentor and motivator of how to live our lives in community.
For decades, Heifetz has long been a quiet but forceful presence in our community. In 2005, for example, he donated $274,000 to pay off the mortgage on the William Way Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center .
Heifetz’s donation to help reelect President Obama is yet another fine example of someone standing up for the advancement of our equal rights.
He recognizes the horrific results to our community if Romney were to win the Presidency and he has acted accordingly.
As our tribute to such a generous individual spirit, let us “dig a bit deeper now when it can matter” and give of our talent, time and money to the reelection of Obama.
Thank you, Mr. Heifetz!
“..,It occurred to me we all have to ‘pay it forward’ lest we have a Republican President take our community back to the ’60′s…”
Is this guy a fool, or does he expect the rest of us are too stupid to realize the impossibility of his cartoonish accusation? Will Romney overturn Lawrence v Texas? He can’t. Impact gay marriage? Only by repealing Clinton’s DOMA. Reinstate Don’t Ask? Not gonna happen. Shame Heifitz decided to piss his money away on imaginary boogie men instead of, you know, helping gay people, like those of us with no job since O took office, still waiting for that “stimulus effect” to kick in. How about investing your 1% money and creating some jobs so I can pay my rent and buy full insurance, maybe even think about a relationship–legal gay marriage or not. Stupid, rich, name-dropping queen.
ALL SHADES OF OPINION FEED AN OPEN MIND. peter gabriel.