GenQ - For the not so straight individual

The gay marriage debate seems to be shifting in favor of the LGBT community if you consider separate but equal a move in the right direction.

On the west coast, Californians will see a record eight new LGBT-related laws take effect next week including provisions to permit same-sex couples to file joint state income tax returns, help LGBT seniors lead stable lives, and require state contractors to offer domestic-partner benefits. While a progressive move for gay rights, it is still shy of allowing same sex couples the right to marry just as their straight counterparts can.

Believing a legislative win could influence the California Supreme court, which is currently reviewing a gay marriage case, Democratic state Assemblyman Mark Leno plans to reintroduce a marriage bill next year. On the flip side, marriage foes say such a bill would violate California's Proposition 22, the state's voter-approved marriage ban.

On the East Coast, while New Hampshire remains the only state that allows same sex marriages, those rights may be in jeopardy. With a Republican Governor eyeing a Presidential run on a conservative platform that opposes gay marriage completely, a recent survey shows that New Hampshire residents favor civil unions over gay marriage. Fifty-five percent of the 600 people interviewed opposed allowing gays to marry, compared with 35 percent in favor.

New Jersey became the newest state to allow equal rights to gay couples when the state legislature ruled to allow civil unions over gay marriage.