By Eddie Gutierrez

The world of politics changed Sept. 27 in radical and surprising ways. On Sept. 27 on ABC TV, MacKenzie Allen, played by Geena Davis, became the first woman U.S. president. The next morning in the real world, a gay Democrat was appointed chief of staff for California first lady Maria Shriver. The first development was fictional, though it's a refreshing reminder that people of stature do suit the Oval Office.

On the other hand, having Daniel Zingale, a 45-year-old gay man and a former senior adviser to Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in the Sacramento as a key figure in the Schwarzenegger administration could be very real good news for the LGBT community. Zingale's deep, diverse portfolio ricochets between government work and community organizations, including the Department of Managed Health Care, AIDS Action Council, the American Psychological Association, and the Human Rights Campaign. Zingale's appointment was lauded by the governor -- and Schwarzenegger does not stick out his neck often to praise Democrats, let alone gay Democrats.

"The coordination of my office and the office of the first lady is extremely important," Schwarzenegger said. "I look forward to working with [Zingale] as I take action to reform and rebuild for the future of our state."

We'll wait and see, but Mrs. Schwarzenegger might deserve a thank-you note. Less than one week before the Zingale zinger, Schwarzenegger's top staff opened its doors to a delegation of LGBT leaders that included Equality California Executive Director Geoffrey Kors and Log Cabin California Executive Director Jeff Bissiri. The meeting, apparently requested by the governor, was no mere house call but the first significant opportunity to seriously discuss LGBT issues since the actor turned politician.

In retrospect, the timing of the meeting was interesting: The night before, the gay marriage bill, AB 849, hit the governor's desk. In addition, that morning Equality California launched a TV commercial framing the marriage equality in a historical civil rights context, pointing out that Schwarzenegger's decision on the bill will shape his legacy. Why not be the hero who signs same-sex marriage legislation? (As IN goes to press, Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill, as promised.)

Schwarzenegger's staff assured the LGBT delegation that Schwarzenegger saw the ad, though reports of his response vary. It did have an impact on the wider audience, however, pulling in about $100,000 in donations to Equality California. Ironically, though the ad aired on the day of the LGBT meeting, it was actually part of the organization's larger 12 Days of Equality project to raise awareness about the bill and marriage equality.

The Nov. 8 special election now moves to the front burner and the LGBT community is also marshaling forces for tough initiative battles in 2006. Brace yourself; it's going to get bumpier than it already is. However, recent signs give us hope for the future. Who knows? One day, we may switch on the television and watch a gay woman -- and not a fictional one -- be sworn in as the president or governor.

Eddie Gutierrez is the communications director for Equality California