Election Night 2009 was an evening of bitter déjà vu for GLBT Californians, their families and friends. Almost a year to the day after last year’s devastating loss on Proposition 8, the loss on Question 1 in Maine delivered yet another blow. If the loss itself weren’t enough, the vote spread served as a loud reminder that just a slim majority are still able to obstruct justice and fairness for the minority. It’s unbelievable, and unconscionable really, that we continue to let people pumped full of misinformation and fear vote on the fundamental right to equal treatment.

As I write this on the morning after, I know our community’s hearts, thoughts and thanks go out to all those who fought such an incredible battle for freedom in Maine. We remember, all too well, the pain of losing an election on our fundamental civil rights and knowing that some of our neighbors, co-workers and family members voted against our equality. These types of losses are personal and can be profoundly painful. No one should have to endure having their right to marry the person they love not only put up to a popular vote, but also subjected to months of sleazy campaign tactics that lie about their lives.

The Maine campaign was a smart, responsive one that learned every lesson they could from the Proposition 8 campaign. They ran a campaign that stood proudly for equality for all families and for all couples. We, in turn, are proud of them and are truly grateful for the endless hours of hard work and sacrifice.

Today, as we have for the last several months, we stand alongside every family and every couple in Maine who stood tall, and share in their belief that that their relationships deserve equal, fair and full recognition. We also honor the many Californians – and particularly our wonderful San Diegans – who found the time and funds to make their way to Maine and gave again of their talent and energy in a quest to beat back this discriminatory ballot measure.

And while our hearts are broken over Maine, we also must not forget that these 2009 elections also brought about victories in Washington State for expanded domestic partnership rights and that in Kalamazoo, Michigan, an effort to repeal anti-discrimination laws was defeated. In both places, our community members stepped up, worked hard and helped share our stories in an effort to secure and to preserve a simple measure of protection. Our deep appreciation goes out to all those who helped fight the good fight in Washington and Kalamazoo as well.

Throughout the country, 50 GLBT candidates won their races, and six additional GLBT candidates advanced to runoff elections. In the midst of the darkness created by the defeat in Maine, these victories give us a much needed boost and reminds us that fairness and justice and equality for all most certainly lie ahead.

Now we will do what our community and our families and friends have always done. We will grieve today for the loss and then begin the struggle again. We will continue to stand up and speak out. We will be out and visible in our families, in our workplaces, in our communities, at our children’s schools and in our places of worship. We will continue the ongoing dialogue with those who haven’t yet found their way to supporting our full equality. We will hold our elected officials and candidates for office and our businesses accountable. We will continue to fight on.

We know that the road is too long and too twisted, that the struggle is epic and that no one can stop the march of freedom, fairness and the promise of our nation for all its citizens. But for me, just for this moment, David Mixner said it best in his blog this morning, “I don’t want to be a brave warrior; I want to be free.”

We will be free.