Photos From the Ground:
Lobby Day, Sacramento

On February 16 hundreds of people gathered on the west steps of the California state capitol in Sacramento for a rally and march hosted by Equality Action Now, along with California Outreach, Marriage Equality USA, Equality California, and many other grassroots organizations.

People gathered from all over the state to show their support for the repeal of Prop. 8, for the 18,000 couples already married, and for love and equality in general. Even in the on-again, off-again periods of rain that drenched Sacramento throughout the day and legislators being stuck in lockdown due to the budget crisis, support was strong.

The crowd was one massive sea of rainbow clothing and accessories, signs reading "'I DO' Support the Freedom to Marry," and placards with a few other familiar slogans from rallies past.

Gloria Allred: These boots are made for kickin'.

Margaret Cho sang three funny and, of course, vulgar songs. Wanda Sykes thanked everyone for coming. Political allies offered updates and encouragement. Gloria Allred did some high kicks in her boots to show she could kick some ass if the anti-gay-marriage measure Prop. 8 is not overturned. Robin Tyler got down to business, with some sharp wit, in her speech. Two-time Grammy winner Matt Alber announced he was single, said he didn't see enough kissing going on, and then sang a song, all before later returning to the stage to make out with Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas after he announced he too was single. The Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus performed Prop. 8: The Musical. And, in the end, the leaders of Equality Action Now announced the opportunity to march around the capitol, after which the rally came to a close.

The following day Equality California hosted the largest LGBT lobby day in California's history. Participants lobbied to show support for the passage of resolutions authored by Sen. Mark Leno and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano and backed by Equality California. The resolutions say that Prop. 8 -- and future measures stripping rights from protected groups in California -- are not valid constitutional revisions and would require approval by two thirds of both senate and assembly members before going to the voters.

In the assembly, the judiciary committee passed the resolution by a 7-3 vote. Now it goes to a vote by the full assembly.

Wanda loves the crowd back.

Police tell the pro-8 folks to move along.

George Takei and Brad Altman

Good time for a smooch

The opposition

Working the crowd

Molly McKay in wedding white

From left: Matt Palazzolo, Robin Tyler, Christopher Smith, Sara Pollaro, and Diane Olson

Selene Luna from The Cho Show

Mandy Steckelberg (right) sings.