Gay Couples Seek Donations, Not Dinnerware

Soon-to-wed gays and lesbians in California are directing well-wishers to hold off on gifts and instead donate money to fight a measure that would nullify their unions, Reuters reports. "The usual notion of a huge reception or acquiring your first microwave is not really happening," says John Duran of Equality California, whose wedding registry site has raised thousands for the cause.

Even the service industry is kicking in, with hotels, photographers, and caterers pledging 10-50% of proceeds from same-sex weddings to the cause. Ellen DeGeneres' high-profile "dream wedding" to Portia de Rossi could also help the fight. "A lot of undecided voters in California are middle-aged women," Duran said, "and many of them watch Ellen on television and think very highly of her." (More gay marriage stories.)