Over the weekend the Nevada legislature by margins of 14-7 in the Senate and 28-14 in the Assembly voted to override a veto on a domestic partnership bill that granted both straight and same-sex couples many of the same rights and responsibilities available to married couples. Governor Jim Gibbons vetoed the bill believing “government has no business in your medicine chest or bedroom,” and because it went against the spirit of Nevada’s 2002 amendment declaring that marriage was only between a man and a woman.

In addition to protecting couples against discrimination, the new measure will bring parity with marriage on issues such as debt and property. The bill however does not force employers to offer health care and other benefits to domestic partners as is the case in California.

The new law goes into effect October 1.

A new USA Today/Gallup poll released yesterday shows a strong correlation between personally knowing someone who is gay or lesbian and supporting gay marriage. Some highlights from the poll below.

When looking at gay relationships in general, those polled tend to have a more favorable view if they personally know someone who is gay or lesbian:

But as soon as the term “gay marriage” is introduced, the numbers slip dramatically:

And when asking how gay marriage will affect society, the drop is almost as dramatic:

And the poll summary:

The Gallup Poll data reviewed above show conclusively that many views toward gay and lesbian issues are related — in some instances, strongly so — to personal experience with individuals who are gay or lesbian. There are two plausible explanations for this relationship. One is that exposure to gays and lesbians leads to greater acceptance, regardless of one’s ideological leanings. The second is that people who are more accepting of gays and lesbians are more likely to put themselves into situations in which they are exposed to gays and lesbians — in terms of cities and regions of residence, as well as workplace and social choices. Both of these processes are at work, though it is difficult to say which is more important.

Whatever the direction of causality, the data do make a strong case that knowing someone who is gay or lesbian fosters more accepting attitudes on many of the issues surrounding gay and lesbian relations today.

It’s great to see that the numbers really seem to bear out the “get to know us” strategy which is getting pushed pretty hard now by all the marriage equality groups. Changing hearts and minds by letting them into our hearts and minds may be most durable solution, and much more permanent than any court ruling or vote.

Watch live feed for the Meet in the Middle 4 Equality rally taking places for marriage equality in Fresno, California today. Speakers include Lt. Dan Choi, Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Cleve Jones and Kate Kendall.

Update: Below is some footage from the rally today… since the live feed is, well, no longer live :). We will post more clips as they become available.

Yesterday we posted a video called The Defenders which took a humorous but ultimately serious take on what the “Defenders” of traditional marriage will do once they have struck down marriage equality for all. Today another gem from filmmaker Keith Hartman called “The License.” Enjoy.