Proposition 8 decision bolsters the fight for same-sex marriage

Of course, Reinhardt's decision stops short of requiring all states and the federal government to recognize same-sex nuptials. But it's a big step in the right direction, as it sets the stage for the U.S. Supreme Court to take on the issue.

It's also good news as the 2012 presidential election approaches — meaning marriage equality will likely continue to be a topic of debate — and the issue continues to work its way from state to state. Currently, three states have pending legislation that could allow gay couples to marry: New Jersey, Maryland and Washington.

Washington is the closest to legalizing same-sex marriage. Just yesterday, the state's House — following the Senate's vote last week — voted in favor of a marriage equality bill that the governor plans on signing into law sometime next week, as soon as it lands on her desk. This will make Washington the seventh state to allow same-sex marriage.

New Jersey will also be voting on its gay marriage law sometime this month, while Maine could see a gay marriage proposal on the ballot in November. And on the heels of the Prop. 8 news, three openly gay state representatives in Illinois introduced the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act to that state this week.