Springsteen featured in gay marriage campaign

USATODAY

An Internet-based campaign aimed at passing same-sex marriage initiatives in four states is getting a little help today from Bruce Springsteen.

The rocker's picture and a quote in support of marriage equality is featured in new content by The Four 2012, a social media campaign aimed at young people who live on sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The goal is to pass ballot measures in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington that are on the November ballot.

"The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law," Springsteen says on The Four 2012's "image macro."

The quote is actually one that Springsteen cited from then-New Jersey governor Jon Corzine in 2009, when the singer endorsed a bill pending in his home state's legislature. Scott Wooledge, who says in his Twitter profile that he's a feature writer for the liberal blog Daily Kos, submitted the Springsteen image and text to The Four 2012.

The organization reached out to Springsteen's people and heard no objections, said Ryan Davis, one of the group's co-founders. Newark Mayor Cory Booker retweeted the Springsteen image today, with a message: "Yes, Bruce truly Rocks!"

Brian Ellner, another co-founder of The Four 2012, describes the social media campaign as "Facebook and Twitter meet Rock the Vote for gay marriage." The idea is to create digital content every day before the election so people understand the four ballot initiatives and what's at stake.

Half of Americans say same-sex marriage should be recognized and 48% are opposed, according to a Gallup Poll released in May. The issue is still contentious: North Carolina voters in May voted to ban gay marriage, becoming the 30th state to do so.

No statewide ballot initiative endorsing same-sex marriage has ever passed. "We have never won one of these votes of the people," said Ellner, who ran the New York state gay marriage campaign. "This is really a moment to make a statement."