MELISSA ETHERIDGE - BLIGE + ETHERIDGE SING OUT FOR GAY MARRIAGE

BLIGE + ETHERIDGE SING OUT FOR GAY MARRIAGE

MARY J. BLIGE and MELISSA ETHERIDGE have helped raise money to fight a ban on gay marriage in California - by singing at a star-studded gala.
Blige and Etheridge both took to the stage at billionaire Ron Burkle's Beverly Hills, California, estate on Tuesday (21Oct08) night in front of an audience of celebrities including Barbra Streisand, James Brolin and Rob Reiner.
Blige gave a rousing rendition of U2's One, while Etheridge sang the appropriately titled Wedding Bell Blues, according to the New York Daily News.
The fundraiser made more than $3.9 million (GBP2.41 million) to help fight the Proposition 8 bill - a high-level state vote in the upcoming November (08) elections to make same-sex marriages constitutionally illegal in California.
Gay unions were legalised in the state in May (08), which led to a spate of celebrity weddings including TV host Ellen DeGeneres' marriage to longtime partner Portia de Rossi in August (08).