The results are in. Well, sort of. Not really. Recent polls regarding same-sex marriage and a November ballot initiative aimed at amending the California Constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman have confounded some.

A California Field Poll reported May 28 that 51 percent of registered California voters support same-sex marriage, 42 percent oppose it and 7 percent have no opinion. The poll also showed 54 percent oppose amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage, 40 percent favor an amendment and 6 percent have no opinion.

Just a week before the Los Angeles Times and KTLA-TV, however, reported a survey showing 54 percent of registered voters would back the November ballot measure and only 35 percent would oppose it.

The poll also showed 52 percent of those surveyed disagreed with the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing same-sex marriage, while 41 percent agreed.

Polls in recent years reflect a similar attitude. In 2007, the Public Policy Institute of California reported that 49 percent of the state’s residents opposed same-sex marriage, while 45 percent were in favor of it.

You needn’t be a mathematician to decipher what this all means to our community: We’ve got a fight ahead of us!

On Tuesday, committed same-sex couples will finally enjoy the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Unfortunately, if some polls are to be believed, their joy may be short-lived.

California’s voters are still split between a traditional marriage model, and the constitutional right same-sex couples have to marriage equality.

Despite the progress we’ve made, despite the high court’s ruling, despite the slim margin of support some polls hint at, there is enough opposition statewide to set us back.

On Nov. 4, voters may strip same-sex couples of their constitutional right to marry, voiding the marriages taking place during the window of time same-sex marriage will be allowed.

It’s no alarmist perspective. Rather, it’s a realistic scenario we are forced to confront.

There was doubt (and a considerable amount of apathy) toward the opposition’s efforts to gather the needed signatures to qualify the initiative banning same-sex marriage for the November ballot. Many underestimated the widespread support the opposition would gather –- and it came from up and down the state, from everyday people to wealthy businessmen right here in San Diego.

There was a statewide call for volunteers and funds to educate voters on their right to decline to sign the petitions to qualify the measure –- though the opposition had us outnumbered and out funded.

With no clear indicator that marriage equality will win in November, it would be reckless and careless to underestimate our opponents again.

The Center Advocacy Project, the nonprofit, nonpartisan political action organization formed by The San Diego LGBT Community Center, is mobilizing our local community by organizing phone banks and voter education campaigns, among other volunteer opportunities. It also allows same-sex couples planning to marry to post their wedding announcements on an online bulletin board, and allows friends and family members of couples to donate to The Center Advocacy Project in lieu of wedding gifts.

The new 501(C)4 organization also links to the San Diego Registrar of Voters office, so online visitors can register to vote. Visit www.centeradvocacy.org for more information.

The Equality California Web site also allows community members and allies to donate to its statewide campaign to defeat the initiative, or volunteer to educate voters. For more information, visit www.eqca.org.

On Tuesday, same-sex couples in California will be allowed to celebrate the dignity and protection that accompanies marriage, and it’s the community’s responsibility to ensure that right for couples long after we’ve defeated the initiative in November.