Just for fun, and perhaps evidence that the wedding industrial compex isn't always a bad thing.

Offbeat Bride isn't usually an especially political site, but when it comes to California's Proposition 8, I think it's worth talking about it … even though I live in Seattle, which is definitely NOT in California.

Prop 8 seeks to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, and it fucking pisses me off.

For me, marriage equality is about family values. As any of you who've read my book know, Andreas and I both come from gay families. His mom (my "outlaw mother") has been with her partner since Andreas was 12. My mother and her partner had a non-legal wedding in 2006. My aunt and her partner of 17 years just got legally married (for the second time!) in California last month.

My family's values are very clear: love is love. Commitment is commitment. It's been inspiring and beautiful to watch marriage equality's spread across the United States. It may be an extremely slow progress, but it's happening. Or rather, trying to happen. Gay marriage became legal in California six months ago … but now some folks want to take the legality away.

The official Offbeat Bride position on this issue is mostly incoherent shouting of expletives and rude gestures,, but if I can pull myself together for a second, I will say this: Californians, please vote no on Proposition 8. Non-Californians, I hope you'll follow my lead and take action against Prop. 8. Out of staters (like me! and you! and YOU!) can donate to support No On Prop 8. Your donation helps get ads like this on television:

I know I'm coming to the game a little late here, but I can't help it. While we can all agree that yes, empowerment is good … I think we can also all agree that BridesDecide.com is decidedly dumb. (You'll notice I'm not linking it — I refuse to give them clicks!) I realize that political demographers are all about finding niche voting blocs (soccer moms! upper class latinos! one-armed lactose intolerant gay men!), but targeting brides as a voter group is just ridonk.

I mean yes: women should vote! Go women! But other than progressives who refuse to get married to protest marriage inequality, getting engaged doesn't seem like much of a political of a statement, and "bride" is a pretty fleeting identity that women have for only a few months to a couple years — and if you're offbeat, it's often label worn with deep hesitation. Mostly, "bride" is a consumer market — not a lifestyle or political demographic.

Trying to pair political excitement with your consumer market just feels stupid. What's next? Rock The Vote Soy latte drinkers? Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for Obama? Mr. Bento Owners Decide?