Bruce Springsteen Appears in Internet Gay Marriage Campaign

by Jason St. Amand

National News Editor

Wednesday October 3, 2012

Rock 'n' roll legend Bruce Springsteen has been a longtime supporter for LGBT rights and the musician is continuing his endearment for gay marriage in a new social media campaign, USA Today reports.

"The Boss" will be featured in the new campaign launched by The Four 2012, which aims to pass gay marriage ballot measures in four states this November: Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington. The campaign is geared towards young people who use social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, on a daily basis.

Brian Ellner, one of the organization's founders, has described the campaign as "Facebook and Twitter meet Rock the Vote for gay marriage." The campaign will create digital content every day before the election in hopes to educate people what the gay marriage measures mean to some citizens.

"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 is quoted saying on one of the The Four 2012's images. "I couldn't agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now."

Part of the quote originally comes from John Corzine, the former governor of New Jersey in 2009, but has been cited by the 63-year-old rocker in his blog. The same year, Springsteen, a New Jersey native, posted a statement on his website the supports marriage equality, the Associated Press notes.

Ellner, who ran the New York state gay marriage campaign, also told publication that, "We have never won one of these votes of the people."

According to Ryan Davis, another founder of The Four, the organization contacted Springsteen's people and they said the "Born in the U.S.A." singer had no problem with his image being used for the campaign.

Several people in the Twitter-sphere have retweeted the image, including Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

"Yes, Bruce truly Rocks! RT @RyanNewYork: Have you seen what The Boss says about marriage equality?" he tweeted.