I took this video back during the Proposition 8 rallies. This Simi Valley woman was married a few weeks before while she had the opportunity. Proposition 8 is currently being dealt with by the California Supreme Court, with opponents in favor of the state not recognizing the marriages that were performed before Proposition 8 was passed.

Gay families live in our communities across America. They deserve equal protection under the law and they deserve all the responsibilities of marriage. Local politicians who stay silent on this issue are staying silent on the rights of people in their neighborhoods and communities.

The state of Maine has joined Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Vermont in recognizing the right of gay people to be married. Maine and Vermont both did it by passing legislation that was signed by their governor. New Hampshire's governor has said he will sign a bill when a few alterations are finalized.

DC recently joined New York in recognizing same sex marriages performed in other states.

To many people it doesn't impact them in any meaningful way. But to those of us that can share the news with family or friends that the issue means so much to that another state supports equal treatment under the law it is profound.

I don't know when California will recognize equal treatment under the law for gay families but it is only a matter of time. Let's not delay it any longer than needed. I favor earning the support of more voters by telling the stories of gay Californians.

Hopefully the groups that write the next ballot proposition will add clauses like New Hampshire is doing that protect religious groups that object from lawsuits.

What a difference in just the last several months.