Big Win for Marriage Equality

Since 1998, gay marriage has been put to a popular vote 33 times around the country.  Of those 33, exactly 0 came down in favor of marriage equality.

Until last night.



According to the projections as of now, all three ballot initiatives to legalize or sustain marriage equality in Washington, Maryland, and Maine will pass.  This is historic, because it is the first time in American history where gay marriage has been put to the vote and won.  Even in my home state of Minnesota, the attempt to carve the existing ban into constitutional stone has been thwarted.

This is a huge leap forward from the past decade, and I never thought I'd say it so soon but the tide has shifted.

Also a big thank you to President Barack Obama for mentioning the LGBT community in his victory speech.

I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you're willing to work hard, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn't matter whether you're black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you're willing to try. - Barack Obama, Victory Speech November 7, 2012

And thank you Mr. President for officially stepping behind marriage equality right before an election.  It showed a confidence and sense of principles that we needed in our politics.