BOSTON - Following an uproar precipitated by the Huffington Post's revelation that he made a large contribution to the presidential candidacy of Republican Sen. John McCain, the co-founder and chairman of Manhunt has resigned from the parent company's board of directors.
On Aug. 13, a Huffington Post blogger outed Jonathan Crutchley's $2,300 donation to McCain's campaign. The figure represents the maximum amount an individual may contribute under U.S. law. Almost immediately, the blogosphere lit up with criticism of Crutchley's politics. Bloggers and readers responding to their posts generally took a dim view of someone who told Out magazine his company brings in almost $2.4 million monthly from gay men supporting the steadfastly anti-gay-rights McCain.
Crutchley defended his action in a posting at Online Personals Watch, stating, "I believe McCain will be a better commander in chief than Obama, who also opposes gay marriage. If we have an experienced, seasoned person defending the country in this dangerous age, we will be able to argue about the gay agenda later.
"Yes, I am a Massachusetts Republican, which is about the same as being an Alabama Democrat," he continued. "But don't call me a ‘liberal.' That's an insult."
However, the public backlash cost Manhunt customers and left the company with some public relations bruises. Fellow Manhunt co-founder and current majority shareholder Larry Basile said Crutchley's views were his own and should not reflect on the company or its employees and officers.
"It should be known that Jonathan Crutchley's donation to McCain left the entire board in disbelief," he wrote in a prepared statement that was distributed to media outlets late Thursday and early Friday. "I am disappointed that we have lost some customers, and I understand the anger. It is too bad for the website if we lose customers, but please never refer to me as a Republican. I consider it an offense.
"At the request of the board [of directors], Jonathan [Crutchley] has stepped down as chairman," he added.
Basile also said his political stance diverges significantly from his former partner's.
"All my life, I have never voted to the right, and have always been generous to 20th Century Democrats, gay and lesbian advocates and defenders, [the Human Rights Commission], and the [National Gay and Lesbian Task Force]," he wrote in the statement. "I was arrested at the Supreme Court and FDA in Act-Up actions, and was the founder of the Grass Roots Gay Rights Fund, which over the years has raised more than $800,000.
"I began giving Obama donations in March 2007, and I have sent several checks that have yet to be reported," he added. "The hat and T-shirt I wear say ‘Obama for President,' as does the sign in front of my house. I refuse to live in a country that is so marred by war and hate. To me, Barack is by far the best candidate; probably better than we deserve."
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