Orlando protesters target Magic owner for support of gay-marriage ban

Posted on October 1, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized

Inside the Amway Arena, a voice over the public-address system announced that the next two people to buy upper-bowl tickets to the Orlando Magic would get a basketball autographed by Hedo Turkoglu.

Meanwhile, outside the facility, protesters chanted, “The billionaire’s a bonehead. The billionaire’s a bonehead.”

Professional sports and political street theater intersected Sunday as opponents of a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution vented their wrath on Magic owner Rich DeVos on the day season-ticket holders were selecting their seats.

The protesters were calling attention to DeVos’ contribution of $100,000 to Florida4Marriage, a group that supports Amendment 2, which would add the existing ban on gay marriage to the state constitution. Opponents say the measure could also deny domestic-partnership benefits for unmarried couples — gay and straight.

“He’s the biggest contributor to the amendment from Orlando,” said Jennifer Foster, who helped organize the protest, which drew about 30 people. “And he’s getting $1 billion in taxpayers’ money to build the arena. That sends a bad message.”

Orlando protesters target Magic owner for support of gay-marriage ban
Orlando Sentinel – Orlando,FL,USA