In the wake of California’s commencement of marrying same-sex couples yesterday, Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon wrote an essay for The Advocate urging gay people to share their personal stories with everyone they know — especially conservatives. Personalization of the struggle for marriage equality, he writes, is the best way to provoke change.

He writes:

The story of our lives is the strongest tool we have as this campaign begins. In moments like these when our dream of freedom and fairness for LGBT Americans becomes a little closer to reality, I urge everyone in our community to share their personal stories—their lives, their loves, and their relationships—to everyone they know. But especially to conservatives and Republicans.

We all know that when hot-button issues like gay rights are taken out of the abstract and made real and personal, the vast majority of Americans become more accepting of LGBT people. As we continue to share our stories and come out to our friends, our family, our co-workers, and our neighbors, we all take our movement closer to the day when every American, regardless of sexual orientation, is treated with the same respect and dignity.

Many millions of votes will determine the outcome in California. Each vote is an individual. Each decision a personal one. Each of us has the power to influence votes in California. All of us must put aside partisan differences to step forward and work together to secure this win. History is not destiny. Victory is possible but not assured. The outcome depends on you.