Amazon CEO donates to gay marriage effort

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, have given $2.5 million toward efforts in the state of Washington to legalize same-sex marriage, effectively doubling proponents’ electoral war chest.

The gift was announced by Washington United for Marriage, the coalition working to pass Referendum 74 in November. It’s believed to be the largest individual gift “to secure or protect the freedom to marry,” the group said on its website. Washington is one of four states where the issue of gay marriage will be on the ballot this year.

The Legislature legalized gay marriage in February with a big assist from Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, who pushed for the bill.

But opponents, including the group Preserve Marriage Washington, collected enough signatures to put the legislation to a vote. Those opposed to gay marriage have said they intend to raise as much as $4 million.

Proponents of gay marriage say they’re seeking far more money — a recognition of the difficulties same-sex marriage votes have had.

Though polls over the last year have shown support for gay marriage nationally, same-sex marriage issues haven’t done well in elections. Voters have rejected such measures in all 32 states where they’ve been on the ballot.

This fall voters in Maryland will be asked to confirm or deny a same-sex marriage law passed there. Maine voters will decide whether to approve same-sex marriage via an initiative, while in Minnesota, the ballot will include a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage.