November 2nd, 2004 was a discouraging day for Marriage Equality.  Ten states voted on ballot measures opposing marriage equality in the general election, and we lost each and every one.  A total of 12 states passed anti-gay ballot measures that year (AR, LA, GA, KY, MI, MS, MT, ND, OH, OK, OR, and UT). 

Adding insult to injury, the ballot measures were widely credited for turning out Republican voters for the tight Presidential race putting key states in the George Bush Column.  A more detailed analysis from experts at the DNC Office of GLBT Affairs and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force showed that this was not in fact the case.  Same-sex marriage had little net effect on the outcome of the election.  Still, same-sex couples were an easy scapegoat and many LGBT folks were put in the akward position of explaining to our allies why they should be standing up for us.