In addition to voting for President, Americans also voted Tuesday night on 153 ballot measures nationwide. In a major victory for the pro-choice movement, voters rejected abortion bans in South Dakota and Colorado. But despite high Democratic voter turnout, not all socially progressive issues fared as well as many had hoped.

One of the biggest upsets was the opposition to gay marriage in California, Arizona, and Florida. Thousands took to the streets of Los Angeles Wednesday for an hours-long protest against the passage of Proposition 8, that will amend the state constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid.

West Hollywood mayor Jeffrey Prang and City Council member Abbe Land addressed protesters from atop a police car.

Voices from protests against the passage of Proposition 8 in California.

Three lawsuits have already been filed to challenge its passage. Less than six months ago, the California State Supreme Court had declared that a gay marriage ban from 2000 was unconstitutional. Proposition 8 was approved with 52 percent of the vote, or 400,000 votes.

We’re joined now by two guests. Kristina Wilfore is the Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, joining us from Washington, D.C. We’re also joined here in the firehouse studio by Sarah Stoesz. She is the President and CEO Planned Parenthood in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

Kristina Wilfore, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center.

Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.

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