This is an excerpt from column in The Huffington Post.

I have been following all of the news about the number of elected officials, especially U.S. senators, who are "coming out" in support of marriage equality. It is clear progress is being made and there is much celebration amongst members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. I also recognize that marriage equality has been an entry point for many allies into the LGBT movement.

If we're going to praise U.S. senators, Democrats OR Republicans, we must push them on other LGBT equality and broader issues.

Don't get me wrong, I'm gay and want the choice to marry when/if I ever find that someone special. While this is the case, marriage is not enough. Point is—there are other issues that impact our community.

Should we praise senators for supporting marriage equality if they don't support nondiscrimination laws and legal protections, funding for jobs, education and housing or LGBT inclusive commonsense immigration reform? I think not.

Additionally, where is the change of heart coming from? Is it because polls show some of the highest levels of support for marriage equality? It would be braver if they had come out for marriage before this new research. That's what it means to be a leader, to show support before the story breaks, not after.

Read the rest of this article at The Huffington Post.

Gregory Cendana is the first openly gay and youngest-ever executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, and Institute for Asian Pacific American Leadership and Advancement. He also serves on DC Mayor Vincent Gray's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee and the board of the Youth Pride Alliance.