It was the stuff of screenwriters’ dreams: marriage equality legislation passing on Gay Pride weekend in the very state that saw the birth of the modern LGBT rights movement 42 years earlier. Even ham-fisted Michael Bay might’ve considered it too over-the-top.

But that’s exactly how it unfolded. And if history does, in fact, repeat itself, such legal victories will continue unfolding across the U.S., until our relationships are eventually recognized by every state in the union.

Why is this happening? Why now? Having high-profile straight allies like Mario Batali and Ben Cohen and Vanessa Williams and dozens of others hasn’t hurt. But none of their support would mean a thing if legislators and constituents didn’t have regular contact with out-and-proud LGBT Americans like you.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: “What in the Sam Hill has gay marriage got to do with cars?”

For Gaywheels readers, the answer is simple: everything.

Gaywheels came about for several reasons — not just because of our founders’ love of automobiles, but also because of the homophobia that has run rampant at dealerships, garages, and even among automotive manufacturers. That caustic environment has made shopping for cars and arranging repairs far more stressful than it ought to be. Gaywheels was envisioned as a place for LGBT readers to get the information they need to make those processes less painful.

We’re happy to see that attitudes in the auto industry have changed dramatically since this blog’s launch. The list of gay-friendly automakers now far, far outweighs the short list of non-gay-friendly companies. But we still have a long way to go.

Marriage equality is a step in the right direction. It enshrines anti-discrimination into law. And as much as we love our libertarian friends, such laws are an absolute necessity.

One day, we’ll reach a point at which people will look back at legislative protections for women, racial minorities, and LGBT citizens and think, “What the heck was all that about? Of course everyone’s equal.” By that time, it may not make sense to have a site like Gaywheels anymore.

Sadly, that day lies in the distant future (and it’s even more distant for LGBT residents in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Uganda). Until then, we’ll be here, doing our part to put folks on equal footing.

Thanks for reading, and remember that LGBT pride doesn’t end on June 30.