After the Supreme Court in California ruled the ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, homophobic groups are demanding a state referendum in November. This echoes what happened in many states after a similar ruling in Massachusetts in 2004. However, things are rapidly changing in gay America as same-sex couples no longer live in hiding. And this is troubling news for homophobic conservatives, whose propaganda demands a depraved “gay lifestyle”. With more gay families living openly in conservative homeland, stigmatization becomes more difficult.

From an article in this week’s The Economist:

Across America same-sex couples are becoming more ordinary. Their numbers are growing most rapidly outside traditional magnets like California, New York and Vermont (see map). One of the steepest increases has been in Utah, probably America's most conservative state. Indeed, of the 34 states with above-average increases in the number of gay couples, 21 voted for Mr Bush in 2004. This does not mean there has been a sudden outbreak of homosexuality in conservative states; rather, it means gay couples in such areas are swiftly becoming more open about their relationships. That alters the politics of gay marriage.

I almost feel sorry for the conservative Christians. What will they do when the queer aren’t that queer anymore?