Judge: Anti-gay marriage donors must be public

By STEVE LAWRENCE , Associated Press Writer

last updated: January 29, 2009 02:40:25 PM

A federal judge has denied a request to keep secret the names of donors to California's anti-gay marriage initiative.
U.S. District Judge Morrison England Jr. ruled Thursday that the state's campaign disclosure laws are intended to protect the public and are important during expensive initiative campaigns.
Supporters of Proposition 8 had sought a preliminary injunction to hide the identities of those who contributed to their campaign.
The initiative was approved by voters in November. It overturned a state Supreme Court ruling that allowed gay marriage.
Reports that identify those who donated within two weeks of the election or afterward are scheduled to be publicly released Monday.