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Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has personally donated $50,000 to Equality Wisconsin to help in the group's efforts to promote legalizing gay marriage, the organization announced Friday.

"I'm proud to support Equality Wisconsin in their effort to allow gay and lesbian couples to celebrate their love and commitment to each other," Abele said in a statement.

"I know Wisconsin is ready to embrace the idea of fidelity for everyone and allowing longtime partners to make a lifetime commitment to each other," he said.

The money will be used to match other donations, according to Equality Wisconsin. Abele presented a check to the group at its holiday party Thursday night.

Abele successfully pushed for domestic partner insurance benefits for same-gender partners of county employees in 2011.