Wow. Talk about momentum!

The chairman of Illinois's Republican Party is throwing his support behind marriage equality and is encouraging lawmakers to pass the legislation.

Details after the jump!

Late last week the LGBT community and allies got a holiday gift in the form of another GOP lawmaker signing on to support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. 

Much momentum has been gained for the marriage equality movement in Illinois this month, momentum that's taken even further by the formation of a new unified group of LGBT advocates and allies, Illinois Unites. The new group will play a key role in gaining support for marriage equality (likely to come up in a matter of weeks in the state legislature) and securing the passage of rights for same-sex couples in Illinois. Details follow.

Newt Gingrich is giving Mitt Romney a run for his Olympic gold in the cherished American political sport of flip-flopping. After years of being a vehement opponent of gays and marriage equality, the 2012 GOP presidential candidate has decided he now "accepts the reality of legalizing same-sex marriage."

Mayor Kasim Reed has finally given the many Atlantans who had waited and pleaded for him to endorse marriage equality a break.

So, what does Atlanta's mayor have to say about same-sex marriage?

Has his time away from Fox News provided enough distance for sanity to seep back into his skull? Whatever the reasoning, Glenn Beck joined Penn Jillette's talk show to discuss marriage equality—and how he believes support for same-sex marriage doesn't have to be anathema to religious Americans. 

Ken Mehlman, still working to remove the tarnish from his name and legacy after orchestrating a wave of anti-gay amendments across the United States, has launched a new conservative group pushing for marriage equality.

The story we brought you last week of 17-year old Lennon Cihak being denied confirmation for supporting marriage equality made national headlines and provoked one of the Diocese's priest to defend the decision over the weekend. 

So, what did Father Gary LaMoine have to tell his parishioners about the church's homophobic move?

Ryan Andresen, the Boy Scout who was denied his Eagle Scout award and dismissed from the Boy Scouts of America after coming out as gay, is getting some high profile support. 

Senator Barbara Boxer, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, and 32 California state legislators are all imploring the BSA to give Andresen the award that he's earned and end their discriminatory stance against gays. 

See what they have to say after the jump!

If the election results from earlier this month weren't clear enough of a sign, a new poll from the Pew Research Center gives us a closer look at the changed tides of marriage equality in America. 

After endorsing a presidential ticket (and dozens of other candidates) that promised a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality, "LGBT" group GOProud has suddenly undergone major heart surgery to finally support the civil rights issue.

My, what could've happened to spark such an about face?

Oh yea, that whole election landslide thing. 

With all four states that put same-sex marriage on the ballot now officially called, we can finally take a closer look at the numbers behind last night's incredible victories for the LGBT community. A few just released exit polls are letting us know who we can send thank flowers to for the historic 2012 elections...and which group that most needs our help evolving over the next few years.