Contributed by Ian Hart in San Francisco

We rejoice that New Hampshire’s legislature had the wisdom, bravery, and morality to reject calls to repeal the state’s brand new recognition of same-sex marriage. Pro-equality legislators won handily, voting down a marriage discrimination amendment 201-135 and a bill to repeal gay marriage 210-109. My husband’s home state once again proved that it favors liberty and justice, for all.

Our cause, however, may find that while we live free, we may die another day.

Wednesday’s vote was only part of the anti-equality movement’s effort to roll back our gains in New Hampshire and elsewhere. Homophobic organizations are actively working to unseat pro-equality legislators and elect anti-gay candidates in a long-term effort to repeal same-sex marriage rights in New Hampshire.

Are California queer rights organizations aiding and abetting this effort?

When several organizations, led by Equality California, opted to wait until 2012 to try to repeal Proposition 8 via the ballot box, it did so in order to allow us to catch our breath, conduct outreach, and rethink strategy. Paradoxically, without a looming ballot fight, waiting until 2012 gave EQCA’s opponents, including the National Organization for Marriage, Focus on the Family, and other homophobic organizations the green light to attack gay rights elsewhere. This week’s vote in the New Hampshire legislature is just one of many battles they will be waging.

Centuries ago, Machiavelli wrote “There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.” When we put the marriage equality movement on hold, we do so to our own disadvantage.

Restore Equality 2010 is a grassroots campaign working to see that doesn’t happen. We are working our butts off to involve citizen activists in collecting signatures to get language on the November 2010 ballot to repeal Prop 8. We know that polling shows we can win marriage back this year. We know that history shows change requires constant pressure, not passivity. And we know that by going back to the ballot in California now, we force our opponents to fight on our turf and with our ballot language.

If you live in California, we need you to get off the sidelines and volunteer with the fight. If you don’t, we could use your financial support – consider donating $10 for 2010. Help us fight for California today to strengthen the movement everywhere. Learn more at www.restoreequality.com.

Ian Hart is on the statewide advisory panel for Restore Equality 2010.

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