OUR TOP 10 LISTS

10. Connecticut

Before the state’s supreme court ruled that civil unions do not go far enough to protect the rights of gay couples in 2008, Connecticut was better known as New York City’s backyard, that just happens to be home to Wesleyan University and that weird vice-president candidate Joe Lieberman.

Since then the state's revenue has benefited handsomely from frustrated city dwellers nearby. Officiants, venue locations, and yes of course, dance studios have since emphasized their openness to gay couples. Thank you to all the dance studios in Connecticut for their open minds, you’re tolerance was news to us.

Author: Paul Ohan

9. Rhode Island

Could Rhode Island be the next state in the union to go gaga for gay marriage? The states senate is poised to vote on a civil union bill in July that allows gay couples many of the same rights as heterosexual marriages. You know, like, separate but equal. Of course there is a vocal group that opposes the measure, fearing the vulnerability civil unions might have in the eyes of the state’s higher court. Cause, you know, separate but equal isn’t really that fair? Here’s to hoping.

8. New Hampshire

Every four years New Hampshire takes center stage for about one month during the presidential election season. And the shortly thereafter we pat it on the head and forget about it until the next presidential round. For a state with the slogan “live free or die,” there aren’t too many waves being generated. Maybe it’s because most of its old luxury seaside estates are now museums, albeit envy inspiring museums. Maybe it’s because Brown University is there.

7. Washington DC

It’s only fitting that our nation’s capital—with its battle cry “no taxation without representation”—decided to allow same-sex marriage. Disbursement of equal rights is probably a good thing to have off the civil agenda. It kind of keeps the residents focused on the long term and impossible task of getting the right to vote in congress. Oh, and the city’s “gayborhoood”, Dupont circle, was starting to get a little stale. This should ratchet things up for a while.

6. Iowa

Prior to being a bastion of socially progressive values in the Mid-West —if you believe that civil rights for every citizen is socially progressive—Iowa was simply known as the birthplace of Cannon Camera spokesman and cougar lover, Ashton Kutcher. Over the years, there were two amendments proposed that would ban gay marriage in the state’s constitution. Both were denied. Vive le résitance!

5. California

Sitting in a park in Paris France. Reading the news and it sure looks bad. They won't give peace a chance. That was just a dream some of us had. Still a lot of lands to see, but I wouldn't want to stay here. It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here. Oh but California. California I'm coming home. I'm going to see the folks I dig. I'll even kiss a sunset pig. California I'm coming home—Joni Mitchell, “California.”

What happened?

4. Kentucky

Aside from banning same-sex marriages and civil unions, by an overwhelming majority of voters, Kentucky’s democratic governor promised the same people responsible for the Creation Museum almost forty million dollars in tax breaks to build a theme park. But not just any theme park, this one would be based on stories from the bible and called Ark Encounters! The project will include a reproduction of Noah’s ark built to the proportions described in Genesis. In other words a big wooden ship over three stories tall, with a deck longer than thirty-five tennis courts. Titanic chic. Other fun attractions at the theme park will include a first century town, and, our personal favorite, the Tower of Babel. Pretty awesome!

3. Florida

Although its acting government heads, and older generation, are stridently opposed to same-sex anything, including a ban on gay marriage, Florida has always been a major contributor to American gay culture. From Ft. Lauderdale, to South Beach, the gays have been gentrifying old run-down parts of the state and making them, well, totally fabulous again—Palm Beach you’re perfect, don’t change a thing! And it’s not just on the Atlantic side, mainland Orlando is home to boy-band magic and Disney musicals, the proto-template to Glee.

Plus you can take a ride down to Key West and catch a classic drag show, if not a sweet view of Cuba. Ciao Cuba! We’ve read Before Night Falls!

2. New York

For all intents and purposes, if you can make it here you can make it anywhere, which the Empire State reaffirmed to America in June. After a long political battle that included a debilitating blow against same-sex marriage in 2009, New York’s republican controlled senate recently voted yes to same-sex marriages. And now the New York Times wedding section will never be the same ever again. We’re talking features of full-on fetes meticulously produced on a scale not seen since Truman Capote’s black and white ball. Imagine that every Sunday.

Also, is it us, or is it just too good that the governor’s last name rhymes with, well, you know. Friendly reminder: his name is Cuomo.

1. Utah

It seems just about every initiative to advance civil equality in the state that boasts “the greatest snow on earth”—how very Disney—have been shot down with the same ease as hunting a lame deer, tied to a tree, with a bazooka. In a poll take in 2010, Utah was ranked the last state in the union in support of same-sex marriage. Their attempts to disband gay-straight alliance groups in high schools, to failing to pass LGBT rights in the Common Ground Initiative, have painted a picture of Utah with all its savage beauty and verdant valleys (and polygamists?) as a place stuck in a bygone era; like Appalachia in the 19th century, or North Korea. JK JK JK!!!