Lika Starr

Manhunt.net co-founder, Jonathan Crutchley, donated the maximum allowance of $2300 to John McCain’s presidential campaign. Manhunt members started dropping their subscriptions like flies. McCain denounced his approval of the donation by not responding to media calls. The McCain campaign told Crutchley they’re returning his money. Crutchley — then promissed to give it to Obama.

If you’ve haven’t heard this story yet, then you’ve been looking at too much non-text content online lately. So, put your hands on the keyboard and listen up

The donation made by Crutchley took place this past March. Why all the waves now, five months later? Out Magazine did profile on Crutchley just last week. Then all hell broke loose on gay web sites. Manhunt.net has over one million member and when the news traveled many of them canceled their subscriptions. In case you dn’t know what Manhunt is, it is a gay hookup site. Guys meet online, then offline and well you can figure out the rest.

McCain’s camp refused phone calls about the matter when the news spread that it accepted the donation. According to Larry Basile, the other co-founder of the company, Crutchley was told by a McCain staff member they were returning his donation. Basile said, “He [Crutchley] said, ‘If John is too good for my money, I’ll give it to Barack.’ “

In light of all the chaos, loss of subscriptions and negatives waves amongst the gay community Basille asked Crutchley to step down from the board of the company. Crutchley agreed followed by a written a letter to the company’s employees and is not fully backing Barack Obama.

Previously, Crutchley defended his donation in a recent comment at the Huffington Post. Crutchley said, “I believe McCain will be a better commander-in-chief than Obama, who also opposes gay marriage.” It was [is] his belief that we need McCain in “this dangerous age.”

Basile wouldn’t be surprised if the donation was returned by Obama as well. He said, “Barack can’t endorse this kind of adult content…I would imagine if it’s tough for one, it’s tough for the other.”

Manhunt.net rakes in $30 million a year on subscriptions, not including advertising and other revenue.

Questions: Isn’t OUt.com, Advocate.com and Gay.com owned by the same company, PlanetOut? Isn’t Gay.com a major hookup site too? Hasn’t it been reported that all three of those sites are suffering financially? Hasn’t it been reported (by Out.com) that Manhunt.net is poised for substantial growth. The title of the OUt.com article by Joseph Gross is: Has Manhunt Destroyed Gay Culture? Do I smell a rat? Hmm…

Wait a minute… Here! just bought LPI Media which was also under the umbrella of PlanetOut. LPI Media owned OUt.com and Advocate.com. But wait, it get’s better. According to the deal PlanetOut will still provide marketing and other services to Here! which is now known as Regent Media. And… According the PlanetOut corporate website updated as of August 15th it still owns the trademarks for OUt and Advocate. Regent Media announced on August 13th the sale was complete and welcomed the LPI Media to it’s new family. Hmm… I still smell a rat!

OK, back on topic. As an individual we should all be able to feel comfortable in who we support politically. Unfortunately that’s not the case here. When you’re a co-founder of a multi-million dollar company whose clientèle is at least 90 percent against your political views then you should pay attention to their needs first. You know, the one’s who line your pockets with all that cash. Anything you do professionally or personally can come back and take a chunk out of your ass or bottom line as it may be in this case. My point is, if you’re in the limelight no matter how dimly lit, you better be looking over you shoulder and crossing your t’s and dotting those i’s along the way.

With that said, here’s a cheers to Basile for stepping up and doing the right thing…