Actually, Hallmark did the favor for everyone (and there's a lot of us) who have been invited to the weddings of gay friends. Instead of spending hours at the card store's "Wedding" section going through every card to find one that didn't have the image of a man and woman, or say "husband and wife" or some other man/woman reference, we can find a card with the perfect sentiment now that Hallmark is putting same-sex wedding cards on their shelves.

According to the Associated Press, Hallmark says the move is "a response to consumer demand, not any political pressure." Their goal is to be as relevant to as many people as they can, which explains their more recent cards for difficulty getting pregnant, going through rehab, and coming out. (Not out of rehab, out of the closet.)

If you read the newspapers or catch a newscast once in a while, you already know there's a growing market for same-sex cards, not just for weddings, but for a number of other life events. Gay couples are having babies or adopting every day, and it should be easy to find congratulatory cards for them. The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law estimates that more than 85,000 same-sex couples in the US have entered into a legal relationship since 1997, and they estimate nearly 120,000 more couples will marry in California during the next three years. Ellen Degeneres and Porti DeRossi kicked it off in grand style just a week or two ago. Don't you think it's about time this country put its money where its mouth is and allowed all its citizens the same "pursuit of happiness" our Declaration of Independence promises?

Gay couples planning a wedding don't expect everything in their wedding to have a gay twist to it, with rainbows or paired male or female symbols on every item, so they'll easily find the right wedding favors. Here are a couple of favors, one elegant and one whimsical, that are designed to delight anyone and everyone--the "Love Dove" Chrome Bottle Opener and the Margarita Glass Gel Candle!

Let's hear it for everyone who finds lasting love!

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