Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (October 17, 2008)

A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE OUR STRAIGHT SPONSORS
You may have noticed that the battle for same-sex marriage rights in California is reaching a fever pitch. While we're of course most interested in what our few out A-listers are doing to fight Proposition 8 (T.R. Knight, Neil Patrick Harris, Suze Orman and others have donated cash to the cause), big-name celebs of all sexual orientations are getting behind gay causes more than ever before.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Lance Bass, Lacey Schwimmer

Last weekend the GLSEN Respect Awards (which promote understanding between gay and straight students) and the Heroes & History Makers gay marriage equality fundraiser brought out some celebs who might not be the first to come to mind as gay allies.

Here's a few Hollywood folks out there fighting for our rights.

Steve Bing

Five years ago, billionaire philanthropist/playboy Steve Bing was best known as a punchline in an Elizabeth Hurley paternity joke. But just this week Bing pledged $500,000 to fight Proposition 8, making him the single largest straight donator to the cause. That's certainly nothing to laugh at.

Other hetero celebs like Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg have also given generously (to the tune of $50,000 each) but this is an enormous donation coming from someone who could just as easily pretend the civil rights concerns of gays and lesbians didn't exist. 

And still more celebs pitch in by lending their star power. Here's an assortment of names and faces who have showed up at recent high-profile events to promote gay causes.

Eric and Janet McCormack

Scott M. Foster with out Greek creator Sean Smith

Kathryn Joosten and Dana Delaney (Desperate Housewives)

Loni Anderson

Out actor Chad Allen with Heather Tom (Ugly Betty)

Next page: What's up this week in gay TV and movies!