The "everything but marriage" stance is now revealed as yet another talking point for denying certain segments of the population equal rights.

I live in South Africa where equality is enshrined in our Constitution, but where some (many – most!) of the most virulent homophobia comes from young people – many (most!) of whom profess a strong religious or cultural aversion to gays ("homosexuality is a sin" – "homosexuality is a Western evil which Africans don't practice" – and so on).

The only real, long-term solution – and it's going to take generations, I'm afraid – is for gay people to lead the kind of lives that others look up to. Lives that are based on solid ethical rather than moral principles (ethics being universal truths, while 'morals' are the various religions' way of bending ethics to their own questionable ends).

Avinash's original post is a fine example of the ethical path.

Avinash, I live in California and also voted NO on Prop 8. I'm sorry to see it passed. Although I'm happy we took a step forward electing Obama. Unfortunately, many of our religious institutions are still fine discriminating against gays. It's my understanding they led aggressive campaigns that probably made the difference on Prop 8. I agree with Jeff. I think as younger voters get older we'll finally see gays get equal treatment.