Steven Spielberg joins the good fight, ponies up cash.

Just last week, we blogged about Brad Pitt giving a hundred thousand dollars to fight Proposition 8 (which would end gay marriages in California), and wondered why more high profile people in the entertainment industry hadn't offered up the big bucks.

Now comes word that Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw are also donating a hundred grand to defeat the measure.

Spielberg and Capshaw said in a statement, "By writing discrimination into our state constitution, Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation. Such discrimination has NO place in California's constitution, or any other.

Spielberg pal Bruce Cohen, who recently married his partner in Los Angeles, and has been working hard to help defeat Prop 8, isn't surprised by the Spielberg's generosity.

"It's phenomenal that Kate and Steven are affirming their unwavering commitment to equality in such a significant a way. More than 15 years ago, Steven was the first person in Hollywood who I came out to, news which he greeted with his full love and support then and ever since. It is my fervent hope that other entertainment industry leaders will follow the lead of Brad Pitt and the Spielbergs and fight to maintain equal rights for all Californians."

We've been critical of Spielberg in the past for the lack of gay visibility in his films, but it's heartening to know that with this donation, and his decision to withdraw support of the Boy Scouts of America because of their anti-gay policies, he's made his voice heard loud and clear.

It's great that high profile stars such as Pitt and Spielberg are fighting for our cause, but all of should be doing our part even if we don't live in California. After all, on civil rights issues such as this, as goes California, so goes the rest of the country...eventually. Do your part and contribute to fighting Proposition 8.