This election marked two major historic events: The first African-American president was elected, and California took away the rights of same-sex couples to marry via their constitution. This marks the first time a constitutional amendment has been used to actually take away a group of people’s rights. Marriage bans also were passed in Arizona and Florida and Arkansas effectively banned gay couples from adopting.

But what is really causing anger right now is the ban passed in California, a state that is the birthplace of the modern lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender movement. This is more upsetting to many in Michigan than even Michigan’s own marriage ban passing in 2004, or the state Supreme Court ruling on it this past summer, stating public institutions can’t even recognize domestic partnerships. It’s upsetting because we had faith in California. We had hope in California and we were crushed. Lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender Californians may not be starting out these next four years with the right to marry, but they are starting it out with anger to change, and so are we in Michigan.