An Open Letter to Jay Leno

Thanks, Jay.

I'm not sure I ever thought I'd have the chance to say those two words together given the often fractious relationship we've found ourselves in. From your wink-wink Brokeback innuendos to Ryan Phillippe being asked to give his "gayest look," we're often on the opposite side of what you consider comedy.

But last night you turned up in West Hollywood to throw your considerable voice behind the California Supreme Court's marriage decision. And, like the governor of this state, you have asked people to "Vow to Vote No" on an upcoming anti-gay ballot amendment that would change the state's Constitution and be used to treat people unfairly.

As you stood alongside Judy Shepard and T.R. Knight, you spoke about your gay friends and co-workers, and how you're supportive of their relationships and desire to marry.

Regardless of your own politics, you recognize that ultimately this is about fundamental freedoms and equal legal protections. You also see opportunities ahead, as you told reporter Greg Hernandez:

"What's so funny to me is how people miss out on [realizing] the economic benefits just in terms of catering and flowers and planning. The services that come with it. . . The businesses that cater to [the LGBT community] do very well. So it just seems like common sense. Gas is four bucks a gallon. For me to worry about what Larry and Bob are doing seems sort of ridiculous."

And you bring to the discussion a reality check:

"I come from Massachusetts and they have [marriage] there and the sky didn't fall in, everyone seems to be fine. It's one of those things where it's a matter of time. You sort of ease into it and you see what happens."

So, thank you, Jay, for lending your voice and showing your support. When Ellen marries Portia and George Takei marries Brad, you'll have an opportunity to have them on your couch to show the world that gay couples should have the same legal protections and responsibilities as everyone else. Or you could take a different path and make their ceremonies the subject of a monologue joke. I'm hoping for the former, but you might tell me that there's room for both. Borrowing a line from you, we'll "see what happens."