The Yes on Prop. 8 campaign has released a new television ad today, featuring San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Frank Schubert, campaign manager of ProtectMarriage.com, the umbrella group leading the fight to ban same sex marriage in California, also asks supporters to donate $3.6 million in the coming weeks so TV ads can be aired throughout the state. The additional money would put anti-gay marriage proponents over the $20 million mark in total contributions.

The newest TV ad opens with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom apparently speaking at a gay marriage press conference soon after the California Supreme Court ruled in May that same sex marriage was legal.

“The door is wide open now,” says Newsom. “It's going to happen, whether you like or not.”

The ad then cuts to scenes of the California Supreme Court in session, one of which shows Chief Justice Ronald George speaking. George wrote the majority opinion to legalize gay marriage. An unseen female announcer then says, “Acceptance of gay marriage is now mandatory,” and Professor Richard Peterson of Pepperdine University School of Law steps into frame.

“That changes a lot of things,” he says. “People sued over personal beliefs. Churches could lose their tax exemptions. Gay marriage taught in public schools.”

The ad ends with a repeat appearance of Newsom saying, “Whether you like it or not.”

In response, the Republicans Against 8 campaign has launched its own ad, titled “Freedom is a Republican Value,” on its web site: www.RepublicansAgainst8.com.

“Just a Century ago, women had fewer rights than gays and lesbians have today,” said Scott Olin Schmidt, campaign manager of Republicans Against 8, in a press release. “It took Republican leadership to make progress in expanding rights for women. Members of our party should not turn their backs on that Grand Old legacy of promoting fairness and freedom.”

In another press release, Dale Kelly Bankhead, campaign manager of No On 8, the umbrella group leading the fight against Proposition 8, says ProtectMarriage.com has “turned to their only real weapon when they began their ad campaign to eliminate marriage for same-sex couples — fear and lies.” Bankhead also asks for contributions and notes that his campaign is “still behind in dollars.”

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.

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