Last month, the California Supreme Court said denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry each other violated the state constitution. The decision was a close 4-3 vote. The ruling made California one of just two states, along with Massachusetts, that grant the same rights to same-sex couples as opposite-sex couples. Yesterday was the first day for gay marriage in California.

In Northern California, Writer & activist Helen Zia, 55, and her partner, Lia Shigemura, 50, got hitched. The pair sang “The Chapel of Love” as they walked to the city attorney’s office to get married. The couple was also on the home page of the NYTimes briefly as well.

Meanwhile, in Southern California, actor and gay rights activist George Takei, 71, and his longtime partner Brad Altman, 54, got their marriage license. They’re planning a September 14th wedding in Los Angeles. The whole crew from the original Star Trek is expected to attend except William Shatner. The wedding will take place at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

While all this celebration is happening, all this can be overturned on the November ballot when the people of California will vote on a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Eight years ago, 61 percent of California voters approved the 2000 marriage ban, while only 52 percent of voters told pollsters they favored the proposition. While Californians may respond with politically correct answers, their true beliefs are shown at the ballot box.

Here’s the proposed California Constitutional Amendment

LIMIT ON MARRIAGE. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: The measure would have no fiscal effect on state or local governments. This is because there would be no change to the manner in which marriages are currently recognized by the state. (Initiative 07-0068.)

If you live in California, vote your true beliefs at the ballot box.

Helen Zia and Lia Shigemura getting married

George Takei and Brad Altman first in line to get a marriage license in West Hollywood