Gay rights group leaves Manchester Hyatt event

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from the Union-Tribune newsroom

SACRAMENTO - A gay rights organization that's upset by Doug Manchester's funding of a same-sex marriage ban has withdrawn from an event scheduled for the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced that it has withdrawn from a "Pride Rocks" event scheduled for the summer at the Hyatt owned by Doug Manchester. The event celebrates gay pride.

Manchester, a local developer, contributed $125,000 to a drive to put a same-sex marriage ban before voters in November. Backers of the ban have said this week that they have gathered enough signatures to qualify the proposed constitutional amendment for the ballot.

The president of the gay and lesbian alliance , Neil Giuliano, said in a news release that Manchester's decision to fund an initiative that would "hurt loving, committed gay couples makes it impossible for us" to take part in an event that promotes his hotel.

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Call to Boycott San Diego Marriott, Hyatt

UPDATE:Gay rights group leaves Manchester Hyatt event

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Developer Doug Manchester and other prominent San Diego County businessmen have given significant financial support to an initiative that would ban same-sex marriage targeted for the November statewide ballot.

In addition to Manchester, Mission Valley developer Terry Caster has donated $162,500; Robert Hoehn, owner of Hoehn Motors in Carlsbad, has given $25,000; and La Jolla businessman Roger Benson has given $50,000, state records show.
Manchester said he was motivated by his strong Catholic faith.

“I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman,” he said.

Caster, who heads Caster Cos., which owns A-1 Self-Storage and other commercial properties, said he believes that marriage between a man and a woman is fundamental to society.

“Without solid marriage, you are going to have a sick society,” he said.

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