The chairman of hugely popular gay matchmaking site Manhunt has been forced to step down for donating money to the campaign of Republican Presidential nominee John McCain.

Jonathan Crutchley, chairman of the board at Manhunt.net, donated $2,300 (£1,235) to the Arizona Senator’s campaign this March.  When the press published details of Crutchley’s donation to McCain, who opposes gay marriage and supports “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, furious Manhunt executives asked Crutchley to resign his post.

Manhunt executives feared that the site might be seen as supportive of McCain’s candidacy. They asked Crutchley to resign in order to show they were firmly against the Senator’s election, and released a scathing statement to the press to make absolutely sure people knew that the site detested the former Vietnam POW’s policies.

Manhunt co-founder Larry Basile told popular gay blog Towleroad: "It should be known that Jonathan Crutchley's donation to McCain left the entire Board in disbelief.”

While donating to political parties is generally a private matter and would almost never be legitimate grounds for dismissal, Basile alleged that Crutchley’s actions resulted in the website losing users and money. Basile made his personal feelings about McCain and his party very clear.

He said:"I am disappointed that we have lost some customers, and I understand the anger. It is too bad for the web site if we lose customers, but PLEASE never refer to me as a Republican. I consider it an offence."

Crutchley told a political blogger that he supports McCain because of their agreement on national security and foreign policy issues, things he sees as far more important than the candidate’s potential stands on social issues like gay marriage. In a Huffington Post article on the controversy, Crutchley said: “If we have an experienced, seasoned person defending the country in this dangerous age, we will be able to argue about the gay agenda later.”

Funnily enough, the donation that cost Crutchley his job may not even be accepted and Crutchley’s support may have shifted to Democrat Barack Obama. McCain’s campaign, eager to distance itself from the director of a gay dating site, will apparently return Crutchley’s donation.

According to Basile, McCain’s decision has prompted a change of heart in Crutchley, who he claims recently sent Manhunt staff a letter pledging his allegiance to Obama. Basile said of Crutchley: “He said, ‘If John is too good for my money, I’ll give it to Barack.’”  

Obama, however, is also likely to return the money. Accepting a donation from Crutchley, which would bring waves of publicity along with it, could be seen as endorsing Manhunt’s adult content. That’s a risky move, one the Illinois Senator is unlikely to take. After all of this, Crutchley might just end up without a job or a candidate to support.

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