A number of subscribers to the gay hook-up site Manhunt have been disturbed by the $2,300 contribution Jonathan Crutchley, one of the site's co-founders, made to the campaign of presumptive Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain.

Gay blogs and other media in recent weeks have been drawing attention to the donation – the maximum allowed by law – which was made in March.

Manhunt has nearly 1 million members, according to an article about the site that was recently published in Out magazine. Michael Joseph Gross, the author of that piece, entitled "Has Manhunt Destroyed Gay Culture?", wrote that the site receives more than 400,000 unique visitors per month, dwarfing other gay male hook-up sites. According to the article, Crutchley said the company brings in at least $2.4 million per month, not counting ad revenues.

Scott Smith, 44, of Dallas, said he included what he knew about the situation on his Manhunt profile "to alert people," and his profile was removed.

Smith said he's "absolutely disgusted and horrified" by Crutchley's contribution.

"It amounts to paying for our own discrimination," he said.

In a statement issued August 14, Larry Basile, Manhunt co-founder and major shareholder, said that Crutchley, a Republican, had stepped down as chairman at the request of the board.

"I am disappointed that we have lost some customers, and I understand the anger," Basile said in the statement. "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 offense."

Basile cited years of his own gay activism and said he's been a contributor to Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama.

It's unclear what position Crutchley still holds with the company or what kind of financial stake he has in Manhunt.

Jeff Dorta, with Project Publicity Inc., Manhunt's publicist, said the company has "moved on from this story" and would not be making any more comments.

The Boston Herald reported Crutchley "has apparently been informed that his $2,300 will be returned" by the McCain campaign.

The Herald quoted Basile as saying Crutchley said if McCain is too good for his money, he'll give it to Obama.

According to the Herald, Basile said Crutchley has now contributed to Obama.

Neither the McCain nor Obama campaigns provided comment by press time. As of Tuesday, August 19, the Federal Election Commission's Web site did not reflect a contribution from Crutchley to Obama for America.

Crutchley reportedly posted a comment to the Internet that said, "I believe McCain will be a better commander-in-chief than Obama, who also opposes gay marriage. If we have an experienced, seasoned person defending this country in this dangerous age, we will be able to argue about the gay agenda later."

Some Manhunt subscribers were bothered by Crutchley's contribution to McCain.

David Mikelberg, 49, who lives in New York City, said since he couldn't get a refund, he hadn't yet decided whether to cancel his subscription.

Mikelberg said he's not surprised a rich, middle-aged man is supporting a Republican, but added, "I didn't feel comfortable being a member of a site that is gay-owned and operated that would support a GOP candidate."

Frank Winsor, 62, of Palm Springs, said he e-mailed Manhunt about Crutchley's donation.

"I just said, 'Is there any truth to any of this? I'd like some details,' and the next thing I know, they'd deleted my profile," Winsor said.

Rick Cooper, 42, a bartender at San Francisco's Powerhouse, said, "It just seems to me that supporting a party that wants to take our rights away is shameless."

Cooper said he canceled his account right away, but he said since Crutchley's stepped down, "I'm not sure what I feel about this anymore, quite honestly. If this statement from Larry is true, I would feel bad about people dropping Manhunt now."