This is a GREAT day for the U.S. But please don't forget that Americans continue to ensure that certain inequalities will be written into law -- Yahoo News, November 5, 2008 LOS ANGELES - California's proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage - and with it the personal lives of thousands of gay couples - hinged on about 3 million absentee and provisional ballots early Wednesday. Sponsors of the ban - widely seen as the most momentous of the nation's 153 ballot measures - declared victory, but the measure's opponents said too many votes remained uncounted for the race to be called. The amendment would limit marriage to heterosexual couples, the first time such a vote has taken place in a state where gay unions are legal. Even without the wait, gay rights activists had a rough day Tuesday. Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida, and gay rights forces suffered a loss in Arkansas, where voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Supporters made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target. . . . .