Nathan Exposed » Manhunt.net Controversy

Should you lose your spot as chairman of a company for your personal political beliefs?

Jonathan Crutchley, co-founder of gay hook-up site Manhunt.net, made a $2,300 contribution to John McCain’s presidential campaign, the maximum allowed. Although the transaction took place last March, it has just now come to light. Following a shit storm of controversy from the gay community, Jonathan has stepped down from the board for his actions.

It’s clearly a very sensitive subject for the gay community. The Republican party has taken great measures to make gay rights a wedge issue for their party. Showing any amount of support for a Republican candidate these days is considered the ultimate blasphemy in most gay social circles.

But some gay people still choose to support McCain, and the Republican party in general. Although they may not agree with McCain’s views on gay equality, some do agree with his other policies, and therefore have chosen to throw their support his way.

So should Jonathan Cruthley be able to support who he wants? Well, technically, of course he can. That’s one of the perks of being an American. HOWEVER, Manhunt.net is funded directly by the gay community. It’s most likely that that $2,300 contribution came right out of the pockets of gay men… more specifically horny gay men cruising for sex.

Critics also claim that Manhunt.net brings in $2.4 Million per month, making it one of the most lucrative gay websites in history. They go on to say Manhunt.net has given very little money at all to gay related non-profit groups that support equality, as well as safe sex education and treatment for HIV/AIDS. So how can someone donate the maximum amount to a Republican candidate, but give very little at all to organizations that directly support our community?

I guess the bottom line is that it’s Cruthley’s choice, and he can do whatever he wants with the money. I’m personally not very upset with it. Do I think it’s poor judgment? Yes. I strongly disagree with McCain’s policies, and even if he supported gay rights, I still wouldn’t vote for him because I think he’s all wrong about his foreign policies and ties to the oil companies.

So I don’t really think he should have stepped down. I should note that stepping down will not make him stop supporting McCain. But on the other hand, I do see where it would be very upsetting to the gay community if he stayed, and it would no doubt have cost the company to lose most of its customers if he hadn’t stepped down.

What are your thoughts?

Fri, Aug 15, 2008 @ 3:50 pm | Filed in Gay | Permalink

6 Comments

As far as I understand, he only stepped down as Chairman, but is still on the Board, correct?

The thing here is that he upset a huge part of their customer base and since the customer is always right… And I’m sure he only did it because of the thing that America runs on: money. They were losing customers over this, so they had to protect their cash cow.

As for his beliefs, he is definitely entitled to them; however, it is the customers’ decision whether they want to remain with the business or not because of them.

Ah, capitalism.

Posted by Howard on Fri, Aug 15, 2008 @ 4:15 pm

OH, he’s more than welcome to do as he pleases. There’s no law against contributing to whomever you want to. But the choice also rests with each one of us. We can also choose to cancel our accounts….en masse. And that’s our choice. Free choice is sort of fun!

Posted by Lewis on Fri, Aug 15, 2008 @ 4:45 pm

I find it very interesting that when Ford pulled its gay friendly advertizing due to public pressure the gay community went crazy. And now, the shoe is on the other foot. We as a community want everything our way. He did not donnate business money to McCain did he? What he does with his personal money is really none of our business. If the same gay men want to make a statement, let them boycott the site. LOL That will never happen

Posted by DJ on Fri, Aug 15, 2008 @ 7:30 pm

I think that he has every right to support the candidate that he feels will do a better job.

I have a friend who is supporting McCain. He is gay and has quite a successful job. Although, I don’t support his decision to support McCain, he is more worried about the taxes he pays than gay rights. Frankly, I think he would rather continue to live in the closet than give an extra dollar to the government.

Regardless, of who Crutchley or my friend decide to vote for in November, it is their personal choice and they have the right to chose who they want.

The main issue is that we have to make sure we are at the polls to vote.

Posted by Daniel on Sat, Aug 16, 2008 @ 9:03 am

There is no possible way to support a homophobic hate group like the GOP without promoting discrimination and violence against lgbt people. Manhunt presented itself as a gay friendly business, but it has been funding efforts to get us fired from our jobs, thrown out of our homes, beaten, and killed.

I’ve deleted my profile. I hope other people do the same.

Posted by libhomo on Sun, Aug 17, 2008 @ 2:28 pm

That is so horrible and sad that he would support McCain. McCain said yesturday that gay people should die and that if a loved one was in the Hospital from the aids virus he would not allow them to be with there partner. OBAMA said that he supported gay rights. That chairman REALLY needs a REALITY check! I am cancelling my membership to “Manhunt.net” How can he support a candidate who clearly hates gays?

Posted by Matt on Sun, Aug 17, 2008 @ 5:23 pm