I am proud to live in a country that is making great strides in creating an atmosphere of equality for all, a country where true democracy is still within reach and bigotry can be overcome with education, diligence and time. President-Elect Barack Obama’s message of hope and inclusion for all this year made us proud! And I am so proud to have cast my vote this year for him and for all other Democrats on my ballot.

We all won yesterday in a sense that change is possible and hope doesn’t go unnoticed. But not all of us won yesterday.

Dear California Democrats, what were you thinking?! Were you paying attention to Barack Obama’s amazing speeches this year? Were you aware of what Michelle Obama said on the anniversary of Stonewall this year?

In a state where Obama won by 25 points on a message of Hope and Change, a ballot measure granting exactly that to the gay community lost by 5 points. One-third of all Democrats in California voted for Hope and Change, yet denied it to others on the same ballot, in the same heartbeat.

Those who know me say I’m probably one of the most optimistic people they know. But I can’t help feeling like my gay brothers and sisters and I were treated hypocritically this year in California. When a long-trodden group is able to move forward, cross lines and break glass ceilings, we all celebrate the progress! And this year was all about breaking through the glass ceilings. But we were hoping you would reach back across the line on your way over it and help the rest of us across.

Hope is for everyone, after all. And equality isn’t equal until everyone stands with those among us who have yet to overcome.

I still have hope that we as Democrats can overcome this inequality together under President Barack Obama.