This weekend I had the opportunity to attend the annual HRC gala dinner in LA. It was a great experience in many ways. namely because it was concurrently FUN and CHARITABLE. The speaker, governor and presidential hopeful, Bill Richardson advocated equal domestic partnership rights and spoke out against the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Although an excellent speech, I was disappointed (but not surprised) he didn't speak in favor of gay marriage, but rather equal "domestic partnership". It just serves to remind us that even the most liberal of our "main stream" politicians are weary of gay marriage; not because they are against it, but because it will probably loose them votes from those in the center. In other words, it is unfortunate America is not yet ready to embrace gay marriage.

Sometimes, in the liberal bastion that is California, or otherwise strong "blue states", we often times forget how far we lag behind our hetero counterparts in terms of equality. Although it is more okay then ever to be gay, it's still not as accepted as it should be.

If you're interested in playing a more active role in the LGBT equality movement (which is, in my opinion, the last major hurdle of the civil rights movement), check out HRC and get involved.