Feelings of anger and disappointment at the upholding of Prop. 8's ban on same-sex marriage in California were quickly overcome by a renewed sense of energy and determination to continue the fight for marriage equality during a May 26th rally at the Southern Nevada LGBT Community Center in Las Vegas. The rally, which had already been scheduled in anticipation of the announcement of the California Supreme Court's decision on Proposition 8, took on added significance over the Memorial Day weekend when Governor Jim Gibbons vetoed Nevada's own Domestic Partnership bill on Monday.  Even without that, many members of Las Vegas' LGBT community already felt a unity with those in California due to the close proximity of the two states. Las Vegas, which is a short drive from Los Angeles, is home to many former California residents while others have family or friends living there. In addition, during the brief period that same sex marriages were legal in California many local gay couples took advantage of that geographical advantage to formally declare their love.

While those marriages recognized prior to the passage of Prop. 8 in November were upheld as part of the decision, several of these couples were present at the rally in solidarity with those who are still fighting for that right. The universal feeling that was expressed was that, while it was nice on a personal level that their marriages would stand, the fight must continue until those same rights are extended to everyone equally. Charlotte Morgan, who was married to Julie Liebo, her partner of 19 years on July 18^th 2008 in Long Beach, Ca. and with whom she has two children, implored the crowd to not back down  and to continue fighting. Seeing  five teachers at a 1979 march wearing paper shopping bags over their heads because it was unsafe for them to publicly identify themselves as gay  people profoundly affected her. She expressed a desire that one day that things such as Prop. 8 would be a thing of the past in the same way that many of the discriminatory policies of those earlier days are now. Calling for solidarity and determination, she advised everyone to make use of current technology such as Facebook and Twitter to unite and mobilize people to stand as a force for change and equality.

The rally itself, which was already billed as only one part of a continuing struggle regardless of how the decision on Prop. 8 would have unfolded, was equal parts protest and renewal of purpose. Alternating between discussions of the legal and constitutional implications of the ruling and fiery calls for action, the speakers maintained a consistent theme that this was just one battle in a war that had begun long ago and  would continue until all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity are afforded the full rights of American citizenship. Furthermore, it was pointed out by several speakers that depriving one group of their constitutional right to equal protection under the law could very easily open the door to other groups being denied those same rights. Therefore, the potential reach of this decision extends well beyond the immediate impact it presents to the LGBT community and sets a negative precedent for every minority group across the country.

Angela Harvey, a professional motivational speaker, closed out the presentations by appealing to the crowd that had gathered not to be angry, but to be encouraged. Stating that angry people were disorganized and ineffective, she encouraged everyone to use those negative feelings in a positive way instead so that people would take notice of them and listen to their message. According to Harvey, instead of playing into the hands of those who oppose gay rights and equality by being angry, the LGBT community and their allies need to become invigorated and united and use this decision as motivation to continue the fight for freedom and equality across the country, not just in California and Nevada. She beseeched people not to remain silent but to use their voices and talents to lend strength to those fighting this battle and the many more yet to come.