Pretty good week for the gays

After the conservative voters of California chose to change their constitution to deny gays the right to proclaim their commitment of love with society, there was a collective defeated sigh among gays and their friends across the nation.  How could one of the the most liberal states in the Union have delivered such blatantly bigoted (I'm sorry, there's no other word for it) decision?  Many were scratching their heads.

In the months since we have to ask if this hate-inspired vote in California has done worked to promote gay equality.  Not only did it create an uproar within the gay community throughout the country, it also elicited reaction from rational-minded straight people who understand the implications that are involved in such an un-American action.

Let's take a look at some of the positive developments that occurred just this past week (there may be more):

Delaware - same-sex marriage ban fails to pass in state Senate

Delaware - anti-discrimination bill passes the state House

West Virginia - same-sex marriage ban fails to pass in state House

Iowa - Supreme Court strikes down gay marriage ban

Federal - hate crime bill reintroduced in Congress

Vermont - gay marriage passed in the state House (Governor threatening veto)

Would all of these forward movements for equality have happened without the tragedy in California?  Obviously we can never know.  However, sometimes it takes a fairly strong jolt to startle people out of their stagnant ways.

Keep fighting.