Well Dean if you are so concerned about having to hire gays you can stay in Texas where you won't have to worry about gay marriage, since the gay marriage law is only in effect in California.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." ~ Sinclair Lewis

"I'm just pissed off that not enough other people are pissed off."~Bill Maher

Matt, I'm not sure that I understand what you would have we Democrats do. This is a State Rights issue in California, and not a national campaign issue.

Let's face it, most Democrats, along with most level-headed compassionate Americans, support equal rights for all citizens -- regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It is only the extreme-right religious bigots who would discriminate against other American citizens for not "believing" as they do. These are the same religious fanatics who have infiltrated the current administration, and that hasn't worked out too well -- has it? Beginning with the 2006 Congressional mid-term elections, Americans on both sides of the political aisle have been awakening to the fact that we are engaged in an illegal religious civil war in Iraq, and NOT a "war" to spread democracy.

The religious-righties in this country are actually no different than the Islamic religious-militants in the Middle East who would deny basic human rights to their own citizens. When a society allows religion to enter into their legal governing system, they have become a theocracy. The Constitution of the United States specifically prohibits religion as a basis for making laws -- especially laws which discriminate against an entire class of citizens. "Freedom of religion" applies in both directions, as in "Freedom from religion."

I applaud California, and other States that are making headway against bigotry of all stripes. We, as a nation, are headed in the correct direction, and have been since the '60s of the past three centuries: 1760s - seeds of the American Revolution; 1860s - Emancipation Proclamation; and, 1960s - Civil Rights Movement.

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As a straight man who has been married 3 times, my advice to gays and lesbians is, "Be careful what you wish for." (Just kidding, I wish you all the best,)

Unfortunately, this deep-seated opposition to same-sex marriage extends beyond the Religious Right. Too many married couples feel that allowing same-sex marriages would devalue their own marriage, and "marriage" as a whole.

Make no mistake, even more than guns and religion, people cling to their marriage. To many married heterosexuals, marriage is like one big community swimming pool. Which "those homosexuals" now threaten to "contaminate." Maybe I'm being an "elitist" here, but -- is it possible, maybe through a clever advertising campaign, to show them the sillyness of their paranoia?

But why should the State sanction marriage in the first place? Gay, lesbian, or straight, for legal purposes, a couple's contractual status sould be called a Civil Union.

In accord with the First Amendment Wall of Separation, should any vows taken at an altar, and whether persons of the same gender can make them, be regulated by the State? Banning same-sex marriage smacks of the Chinese government deciding on who the next Dalai Lama will be.

To enjoy these Civil Union benefits (tax, inheritance, etc.), all couples should make the same basic vows, either before a civil or religious official (at their option). All get their government papers, and those who also choose a religious bond, an additional certificate, if desired. As far as government is concerned, shouldn't "same-sex marriage" be a non-issue?