Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech as the newly elected 44^th president of the United States before an enthusiastic crowd at Grant Park. But for thousands of LGBT Americans, the celebration was somewhat marred by the decision of millions of voters to approve discrimination against gays.

LGBT citizens took heart from Obama’s words of hope and unity. "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer," Obama said to those gathered in Chicago and to the millions watching on television. "It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of red states and blue states: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."

In his acceptance speech, Obama talked about people waiting to vote, standing in long lines that wound around churches and schools and told the story of a 106-year-old Atlanta voter who had seen a century of change in her lifetime.

"Tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment," Obama said, "change has come to America!”

But for many Americans, change comes slowly when it comes to their attitudes towards gays. 

Florida approved adding language to the state constitution that bans same-sex marriage and puts in jeopardy basic civil rights and protections currently enjoyed by LGBT Floridians.

The constitution will define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Florida already has a prohibition against gay marriage in state law, but supporters say the new definition was important to prevent court rulings allowing same-sex marriage like those in Massachusetts, California and Connecticut.
With 99 percent of the expected vote counted early Wednesday, the amendment had just over 62 percent support. It needed 60 percent to pass.

In John McCain’s home state of Arizona, voters also decided to prohibit same-sex nuptials.

After an intense campaign that cost more than $75 million, California's voters were leaning ever closer early today to approving a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, dealing a huge blow to the gay rights movement and likely setting the stage for another round of court battles over the volatile issue.

Today the gay community celebrates with all America on the election of a President who offers hope and change.  Tomorrow we’ll continue our work in fighting LGBT inequality.  I trust Obama will be the LGBT ally he promised he would be during this campaign and will join us in the battle for true equality for all Americans.