Back then it was exciting. Wondering - which country or which US State would be next? Back then it was interesting, nail biting. Watching the polls as they inched their way up (well, rocketed their way up, looking back on it, but it seemed like a snail's pace then). First to where the country was evenly divided, ultimately to where a clear majority of Americans say its okay to be equal.
Back then we were waiting for evolution by a certain resident of a white house.
Now, much of what is happening would be comical (if it weren't still so serious).
So many marriage equality lawsuits are being filed it's impossible to keep up with them. South Carolina, for example. SOUTH FUCKING CAROLINA? Some people in Arkansas are now crazy enough to believe they can change the state's constitution via a ballot initiative. Even Indiana Republicans don't want a consitutional amendment banning marriage equality. One watches with a sad smile when the Mayor of Porterville, CA is ousted by the City Council for offering a pro-gay resolution. "Soon, soon. You will all be regarded as idiots and outcasts. Very soon." the whispers echo.
Now, anti marriage equality zealots seem relegated to the obscure corners of the Internet. All the can do is make ridiculous pronunciations about a world that no longer exists, attempting to tilt windmills that spin only in their imaginations.
Now, it seems like it's just a matter of waiting for the dominos to fall. It looks like Hawaii has finally gotten its act together. The unthinkable - an override of Governor Christie's veto in New Jersey - now is not only thinkable but may even be doable.
The DOMA decision crashed the gates of state marriage inequality faster than I thought possible. Same-sex couples legally married are now to receive many Federal benefits regardless of where they live; they are now even entitled to participate in employee benefit plans thanks to a Department of Labor ruling. The fact that a state itself may not recognize their marriage is becoming increasingly meaningless, and it seems only a matter of when, not if, states will be forced to recognize same sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions no matter how much Antonin Scalia may rant and whine.
Now we can even imagine the continuing evolution of the owner of a certain chapel by the Tiber.
Yup, now is the good old days.
In this brave new world, what's brewing, and what's on tap?
Serious legal challenges to restrictions on same-sex marriage are soon to be heard in Michigan and by New Mexico's Supreme Court. A ruling in New Jersey is expected soon in a Superior Court, and in Illinois. Cases in Pennslyvania, South Carolina, Utah and other states are just beginning.
Hawaii will soon have a special session to vote on marriage equality. New Jersey's legislative leaders have said they will try for an override of Governor Christie's veto in November. Illinois, that disappointing child of a state that only came back from marriage equality school with a 'C' for effort earlier, may or may not vote this year, but does anyone doubt the ultimate fate of marriage equality in that state?
Oregon volunteers have gathered 70% of the signatures they need to put together a ballot initiative for next Fall. Nevada is in the long, slow, process of changing its constitution. Ohio and Arizona equality advocates are contemplating when to move with a ballot proposal.
In Australia, the Federal District (ACT, similar to Washington DC) is preparing to legalize same-sex marriage.
In Finland, the parliament must now reconsider marriage equality legislation -rejected back in February - due to a signature gathering effort that garnered 162,000 signatures. (The threshold for consideration is 50,000; there are about 5.5 million Finns).
In Ireland, a referendum is coming sooner or later, probably sooner, possibly in the spring. The Irish people are overwhelmingly in favor of marriage equality, so it's just a matter of holding the vote.
In Scotland, legislative leaders have decided to fast-track their same-sex marriage legislation, aiming to make it into law by March, 2014.
Brazil and Mexico continue on their paths towards national recognition of same-sex marriage. Fifteen countries now have laws recognizing same-sex marriage nationally, from New Zealand to Sweden, from Canada to South Africa, from Argentina and Uruguay to France and England.